Lesson: Celga
Before my last trip, I was confident Celga can provide reliable service.
Back in 2011, just before my trip I decided to go to two additional shows. One had to be bought from a resale site and the other through general sales. Both safely arrived to my accomodations which was a relief. Usually goods are mailed to Celga, then it's mailed to me or to the hotel. True test came when I actually arrived in Japan. I was still struggling to buy one ticket for May 14th. Since there was not much time, Celga agreed to expedite it by having the seller send it to me directly. Less than a week before May 14th, I gave up on a band after multiple failed bids. I requested to bid on a ticket for another band. It fortunately arrived the night before I had to travel to Fukuoka. I was impressed at their flexibility and how smoothly tickets were sent out despite it being my first time using this kind of service. They impressed me the most by managing to send the third ticket at the very last minute.
Now 2015, my trip consists of more shows than before. In an effort to not add more burden to the kind souls who are already helping me, I decided to use Celga again. This time it was simple, just buy it off from resale and mail it to the hotel. A week before I had to fly, I replied to Celga's email with my hotel's address. Of course, I notified the hotel first that I had mail coming and that it's okay with them to receive it. May 15 came and I arrived in Tokyo, while checking in,I asked for my mail. They said they don't have anything for me. Okay, PANIC but hopeful since I couldn't speak Japanese and the staff's English is very limited. I was hopeful they did not understand what I asked. Next day, May 16, I checked out to head to Miyagi for a show. I asked again, and this time it's still a "no" and I was sure they understood my question.
I emailed Celga the night before and they replied that they will forward it to their Japan side, which is the practice, for Monday. I was furious. Did they not read my email that the live would be on Sunday, May 17th? I would be ticket-less? Whoever opened my email did not bother to read at all and just gave me a standard reply. So.... I'm supposed to head to Miyagi, even if I had a phone, how can I communicate in Japanese to their Japan side? Thank goodness I was with a friend later that day. With nothing to do while waiting in ONE OK ROCK's goods line, she called the agent in their "Japan side." At first he was suggesting to mail it to Osaka post office for me to pick up and I'm all... poo, I do not know anything but train station - guesthouse- venue for that day. He ultimately agreed that I will pick up the ticket the next day, May 17th, at the train station in his hometown.Thank goodness I've been to that city before so I didn't worry I'd get lost. He personally came with his family, with adorable baby twins. I suppose one cannot be furious when they see babies. But really, I was just happy at that time I was able to get my tickets and actually go to the show that night as planned.
Regardless, one cannot deny....
1) It was a hassle. I travelled an extra 2 hours. Osaka-Okayama-Osaka... and I came from Sendai that morning! The day before Tokyo! The day before I came from Texas! Granted I had no choice, 2 hours is a lot and exhausting when I've been travelling a LOT the past three days. Fortunately, an unfortunate thing happened to my luggage which headed to San Francisco instead of Narita. It would have been worse and more exhausting lugging around my suitcase.
2) I lost precious time. When you're city-hopping daily, every minute counts. After getting to Osaka, I just checked in. Washed my face a bit and headed to the venue. There was no time to rest at all nor eat a proper meal.
3) I would have lost money. Thank goodness I have JR rail pass. It would have cost 12,460 yen for the extra for roundtrip to Okayama. Can one just easily throw that much pocket money on a 3rd day of a three week trip? I was on a tight budget mind you.
4) Lack of follow up. Not only did they miss my reply with my hotel's address, they also did not read my "Where in the world are my tickets and one show is tomorrow!" and gave me standard email "We'll forward to Japan side."
Lesson:
I am not sure if I'll use Celga again. If I do, I will follow up again and again that my ticket has been mailed and that the hotel has received it. I will follow up a couple times a day if I have to.
It's good to know that friends don't think I'm a burden. I actually got a scolding why I chose to use an agent when they are there to help. Of course I had to say that they were already processing multiple tickets for me and that is after multiple attempts at other tickets. I must remember that they understand where I'm coming from. They understand how important those tickets are to me and are more than willing to help to ensure that I get those tickets and see my favorite bands.
Back in 2011, just before my trip I decided to go to two additional shows. One had to be bought from a resale site and the other through general sales. Both safely arrived to my accomodations which was a relief. Usually goods are mailed to Celga, then it's mailed to me or to the hotel. True test came when I actually arrived in Japan. I was still struggling to buy one ticket for May 14th. Since there was not much time, Celga agreed to expedite it by having the seller send it to me directly. Less than a week before May 14th, I gave up on a band after multiple failed bids. I requested to bid on a ticket for another band. It fortunately arrived the night before I had to travel to Fukuoka. I was impressed at their flexibility and how smoothly tickets were sent out despite it being my first time using this kind of service. They impressed me the most by managing to send the third ticket at the very last minute.
Now 2015, my trip consists of more shows than before. In an effort to not add more burden to the kind souls who are already helping me, I decided to use Celga again. This time it was simple, just buy it off from resale and mail it to the hotel. A week before I had to fly, I replied to Celga's email with my hotel's address. Of course, I notified the hotel first that I had mail coming and that it's okay with them to receive it. May 15 came and I arrived in Tokyo, while checking in,I asked for my mail. They said they don't have anything for me. Okay, PANIC but hopeful since I couldn't speak Japanese and the staff's English is very limited. I was hopeful they did not understand what I asked. Next day, May 16, I checked out to head to Miyagi for a show. I asked again, and this time it's still a "no" and I was sure they understood my question.
I emailed Celga the night before and they replied that they will forward it to their Japan side, which is the practice, for Monday. I was furious. Did they not read my email that the live would be on Sunday, May 17th? I would be ticket-less? Whoever opened my email did not bother to read at all and just gave me a standard reply. So.... I'm supposed to head to Miyagi, even if I had a phone, how can I communicate in Japanese to their Japan side? Thank goodness I was with a friend later that day. With nothing to do while waiting in ONE OK ROCK's goods line, she called the agent in their "Japan side." At first he was suggesting to mail it to Osaka post office for me to pick up and I'm all... poo, I do not know anything but train station - guesthouse- venue for that day. He ultimately agreed that I will pick up the ticket the next day, May 17th, at the train station in his hometown.Thank goodness I've been to that city before so I didn't worry I'd get lost. He personally came with his family, with adorable baby twins. I suppose one cannot be furious when they see babies. But really, I was just happy at that time I was able to get my tickets and actually go to the show that night as planned.
Regardless, one cannot deny....
1) It was a hassle. I travelled an extra 2 hours. Osaka-Okayama-Osaka... and I came from Sendai that morning! The day before Tokyo! The day before I came from Texas! Granted I had no choice, 2 hours is a lot and exhausting when I've been travelling a LOT the past three days. Fortunately, an unfortunate thing happened to my luggage which headed to San Francisco instead of Narita. It would have been worse and more exhausting lugging around my suitcase.
2) I lost precious time. When you're city-hopping daily, every minute counts. After getting to Osaka, I just checked in. Washed my face a bit and headed to the venue. There was no time to rest at all nor eat a proper meal.
3) I would have lost money. Thank goodness I have JR rail pass. It would have cost 12,460 yen for the extra for roundtrip to Okayama. Can one just easily throw that much pocket money on a 3rd day of a three week trip? I was on a tight budget mind you.
4) Lack of follow up. Not only did they miss my reply with my hotel's address, they also did not read my "Where in the world are my tickets and one show is tomorrow!" and gave me standard email "We'll forward to Japan side."
Lesson:
I am not sure if I'll use Celga again. If I do, I will follow up again and again that my ticket has been mailed and that the hotel has received it. I will follow up a couple times a day if I have to.
It's good to know that friends don't think I'm a burden. I actually got a scolding why I chose to use an agent when they are there to help. Of course I had to say that they were already processing multiple tickets for me and that is after multiple attempts at other tickets. I must remember that they understand where I'm coming from. They understand how important those tickets are to me and are more than willing to help to ensure that I get those tickets and see my favorite bands.