Here you can find information on being a dealer at the South Bend Record Show, including how to register, frequently asked questions, where to stay, maps and parking instructions.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR OUR NEXT SHOW!
We are currently accepting table registration for the South Bend Record Show! Are you interested in selling some merchandise? We’d love to have you set up! Just fill out this registration form and decide how many tables you need. Tables tend to sell out so book early and often.
Dealer Policies
Location
We are in the Ramada by Wyndham, 52890 State Road 933 N, South Bend, which is located north of the University of Notre Dame and Exit 77 of the Indiana Toll Road (US-80/US-90) at the corner of Cleveland Road.
Table Pricing
All tables are 6 feet. Tables cost $30 each for the first two, $25 for a third, and $20 for a fourth and beyond. One table is $30, two is $60, three is $85, four is $105, five is $125, etc. First-time dealers for this show may be asked to pay in advance. PayPal is preferred prior to the show. Established and returning dealers can pay in cash at the show.
Load-in
Load-in begins at 8 a.m. Sunday morning. Dealers can drive their vehicles right up to the metal double doors on the south side of the building and head into the room. Dealers should bring their own carts. There are no carts available from the hotel. Check in with me at the show entrance and I will show you to your table(s) to set up.
Parking
There is plenty of free parking available along that same side of the hotel for dealers on a first-come, first-serve basis. These spaces are near the dealer entrance and not the main entrance where customers will enter.
Load-out
At 5 p.m. Sunday, dealers need to pack up their wares, load up their carts, and move to their cars. Everyone needs to be out of the room by 7 p.m. Unless you have an emergency or a very good reason that you have notified me about, dealers are expected to stay at least until 3 p.m. If customers are scarce late in the day, exits after 3 p.m. are fine. Please just come and see me first.
Where to Stay
We know some of you come from some distance to be here so we have secured a block of hotel rooms at a reduced rate for dealers at the Ramada by Wyndham, 52890 State Road 933 N, South Bend.
Rates vary throughout the year based on demand but are typically 10 percent off the best room rate. For 2021, the rates have increased following a major remodel. The rate is $95 plus tax for June and August, $199 plus tax for October (Notre Dame home game weekend), and $75 plus tax for December. Rooms should be booked 30 days in advance to secure this rate. Call 574-272-5220 and ask for a room in the courtesy block for the record show. If you have problems booking a room, please let me know right away.
There are also several other hotels nearby, including Comfort Suites, Motel 6, and Americas Best Value Inn to name a few.
DEALER FAQ
Can anyone sell stuff at this show?
Yes! The show is open to all types of sellers – stores, collectors, folks selling off an inherited collection. We try to make the show as accessible as possible for music fans of all kinds. All you need to do is book a table in advance (because we do sell out) and follow the simple show guidelines (you can download the PDF above).
What kind of items do well at the show?
Pre-loved vinyl is the biggest draw, but anything related to music will be a good fit. The key is to price your merchandise reasonably. Customers come to spend money on music. Some are looking for deals, others are looking for grails. We want a mix of both and everything in between.
When do I have to be at the show? What are the hours?
Early bird admission opens at 9 a.m., and general admission opens at 11 a.m. Dealers are not required to be there for early-bird shoppers but should be set up and ready to sell by 10:45 a.m. The show ends at 5 p.m.
Can I share a table with someone else?
Yes, you can. If you want to buy a table to split between you and another dealer that is fine with us. Just let us know so we can pair you together. There also needs to be a single person whose name the shared table(s) are in, and whom we can rely on for payment.
Are there cash ATM machines in the building?
Ramada is currently working on getting an ATM. We hope this will be in place soon. While there isn’t an ATM in the hotel right now, there is one a short walk, just two doors down, at 1st Source Bank at Cleveland Road and IN 933.
What are the food and drink options for dealers?
Coffee and doughnuts are provided free of charge for dealers during morning load-in. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there is a snack bar window that opens for the show in the banquet room. Items such as sandwiches, pizza, chips, soft drinks, and beer are available for purchase. The hotel restaurant, The Bend, is now open Sundays from 4-10 p.m. and offers a more robust menu. There are also a number of fast food and other restaurants all within a mile of the hotel. Of course, dealers also can opt to bring their own food to the show.
I do a lot of credit card sales, so what about WiFi?
There is WiFi at the hotel but it’s spotty. We have had better luck relying on our data plans in the room itself. This, however, will eventually be addressed. The Ramada is continuing its upgrades since purchasing the hotel and internet access and increased capabilities are among them. So, stay tuned.
