It’s time again, all you bargain hunters and crate-diggers! The Chicagoland Record Collectors Show (previously covered) is headed back to Hillside to grace us with its presence.
Vendors from all over the state will be packaging up some of their best stuff, so if you’ve never been to this show before, then this is the perfect chance to go. Every other month, the “largest vinyl show in the Midwest” kicks into gear, and this Sunday, January 15th, is your chance to come out and see what it’s all about.
What if it’s your first time at a record show of this magnitude? Or even a record show in general? Have no fear because TVD Chicago is here to help.
Here are some good points to remember if you’re headed off to The Chicagoland Record Collectors Show for the first time.
1. Don’t be afraid to dive right in!
Stepping across the threshold of the largest vinyl show in the Midwest is a breathtaking moment for a first timer. You can’t see where the records end or even begin, for that matter. So our first piece of advice is simple: get out there and start. Pick a table and just begin to flip through those dusty treasures.
2. Don’t jump the gun!
Is that one record that you’ve been looking for priced a little higher than you wanted? It just might be waiting down the line at another table for half the price. It’s hard to walk away from the one you’ve been searching for, but it is also a sharp pain in the heart when you realize you overpaid.
3. Introduce yourself and make connections!
These shop owners are more than willing to talk with you and have a good time. They like to talk about records just as much as you do—hell, they do it for a living! Treat this as a convention of like-minded individuals. Someone may have something you’ve been looking for and could pass it on to you.
4. Pace yourself!
It is very easy to get burned out very fast at this show. Take your time and see everything the sellers have to offer. Some vendors have some new stuff, and some vendors have really old stuff; you just have to do some serious digging.
5. Timing is everything!
As the day goes on, the prices will definitely come down. The closer it gets to closing time, the lower the prices will get. HOWEVER, is it worth the risk that the record you want may be gone? You just have to decide what kind of mood you’re in. Do you feel like getting the first pick, or are you looking for a few good deals to add to your collection?
Overall, just have fun. The Chicagoland Record Collectors Show is about having a blast, and finding some really great vinyl.
The show is this Sunday, January 15th, at the Best Western Hotel Chicago in Hillside – 4400 Frontage Road Hillside, IL 60162. The show runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will cost you just $3.00 to get in. (Kids under 12 are free.)
If you can’t make it out, the next shows are scheduled for March 18th, May 20th, July 22nd, September 16th, and November 18th. You can stay informed of future shows and deals through their Facebook.
