Allentown Record Show - lowdown on motel scene?

[CollectorScum]

I thinking about going to the Allentown show for the first time. I don't think I can go on the actual Saturday, but from what I've always read, the real wheeling and dealing is already done by then. Can someone give me all the info on the pre-show motel selling? Where does one go, when, etc?

 

[MopTopMike]

People start showing up early Monday morning at the same hotel where everyone stays. The fun is long gone for me, hanging out for a full week - there are not enough records, dealers usually bring the same, tired 45s, and if you are selling something good, 90% of the people there only wanna offer lowball counter prices. no thanks.

In 1996, the hotel was a decent place & clean. Lots of fun, since it was a Thursday afternoon pre-show event; by 2014 it is a run-down dump with bedbugs in several rooms. I wouldn't even consider going here (America's Best Value Inn). It was formerly the Days Inn.

The last time I had to stay for the show a few years back, I booked a room at the Holiday Inn Express.

 

[CollectorScum]

So is the current thinking that going on the actual day of the fair is best? I just already have unbreakable plans that Saturday. Maybe I hold off until the next one.

 

[chas_kit]

So is the current thinking that going on the actual day of the fair is best? I just already have unbreakable plans that Saturday. Maybe I hold off until the next one.

going to sell or buy?

 

[CollectorScum]

going to sell or buy?

To buy. Most of my 60s garage spares are common records.

 

[MopTopMike]

I'd go / plan to arrive on Monday around noon. Monday & Tuesday are the heavy pre-show buy days. fierce competition, tho!

 

[chas_kit]

Monday! That's ridiculous! Who has a week to waste hanging around a dumpy motel in Allentown! Plenty of folks apparently.

 

[MopTopMike]

That is only if you do not want to hit the actual show on Saturday. Collectorscum noted he couldn't make it for the day of the show.

if you are strictly going to buy, you gotta get there really early. By Wed the action slows, and Thurs / Fri are like watching paint dry. Dealers won't make deals until the day of the show, if they even care to. It will be busy if you've never gone. I've gone since 1996 and my last show was spring 2013. I only bought two 45s, on eon Tuesday, and one the day of the show, from Barry W who was carrying a sale / trade box. I could not even find one decent cheap 45. But that's me...

 

[CollectorScum]

Monday! That's ridiculous! Who has a week to waste hanging around a dumpy motel in Allentown! Plenty of folks apparently.

Yeah, seems like they should shift it back to Weds/Thurs unofficial start. Weird world. Maybe I could swing Tues, like 10am-4pm. Or does everyone sleep until noon?

I'm not very worried about competition. I'm looking for plenty of records you guys all found decades ago. My 70s-80s punk collection is very solid, but I've only gotten serious about 60s garage in the past few years.

 

[CollectorScum]

I never made it. How was the show?

 

[Dave Baldwin]

Decent show, but not as good for 'affordable' garage 45s as usual. Got some nice
clean blues, rockabilly and R&B singles for great prices though. I usually go to the Allentown
Spring show but decided to try the Fall version since Austin was a wash.

 

[CollectorScum]

Thinking about doing this again, and the actual show on Saturday is out fo me because of a scheduling conflict. So I just show up at this motel and walk the hallways looking for open doors?

 

[reyes]

Thinking about doing this again, and the actual show on Saturday is out fo me because of a scheduling conflict. So I just show up at this motel and walk the hallways looking for open doors?

 

[reyes]

I'd go / plan to arrive on Monday around noon. Monday & Tuesday are the heavy pre-show buy days. fierce competition, tho!

this is so true! TOP records get sorted out early! even top drawer late 70's early 80's punk records exchange hands....

 

[reyes]

yes! they are setup in the hotel rooms, unfortunately i'm just gonna make the weekend fair.

at the hotel I've found a big want almost everytime but its hard late in the week everything is "taken", but you still be able to find something...

 

[buckeyebeat]

Do people really spend a week in Allentown? I've been there, but not for a record show. I would assume the out of towners will make day trips to Philly or NYC to look for records between Tuesday and Saturday?

 

[MopTopMike]

Yep. A couple of buddies are already there, wheelin' 'n' dealin. Other than to go out for lunch or dinner, everybody hangs out at the Best Value Inn (former Days Inn) all week long.
I'd say the place is 80 % occupied by Tuesday.
Some guys don't even bother with hotel staff housekeeping, as it would interrupt / impede the in & out flow of buyers looking thru their boxes and bins of 45s. Every single room is booked for the show.
Today (Monday) is the heavy day for the best stuff across the board.

 

[Manos E. Brazos]

The truth is: different dealers/traders show up on different days, but if you are looking for bargain prices on good 45s, they won't likely have them. But there will be a few sellers who do not even arrive until the day of the show itself. So the moral is: you never know.

And if you are looking ONLY for top 100-200 G45 records, well how many of those show up anywhere these days?

 

[MopTopMike]

The upper echelon garage / psych 45s can be found at Allentown..you just have to pay a lot to obtain them.
It is rare to find an underpriced bargain, especially since everyone there is your competiton. There are more knowledgeable types per square foot running amok at A-town than anywhere else. I've never been to Utrecht so I can't comment about that show.
But if you are serious about 60s 45s I'd make it a point to get to Allentown. Some shows are better than others (early fall usually trumps late winter).

 

[CollectorScum]

Missed it again. Any reports from the fair?