Across the world, each year we wait eagerly to see what deals we can snap up. But these days you certainly do not see reports of stampeding crowds. On top of that, most “deals” are usually a pound or two saving here, or a dollar or two saving there.
But can you save money on modeling during the Black Friday Sale?
Today I am looking at 5 ways you might be able to make Black Friday deals worth your while in 2022.
Just so you know, I have added some affiliate links below (either a link or an image) so you can easily find what I am talking about. If you click these links, I may earn from qualifying sales.
1) Using Flying Raven Studios as a resource
I do not know about, you, but the way my mind works is to take every sale with a pinch of salt. I am very aware of the practice of raising a price for a while before the sale, so they can say what a bargain it is.
But keeping track of the price of a piece of kit we have our eye on can be a real pain!
One thing I had not planned for when I built the Flying Raven Studios website (or the YouTube Channel for that matter), is that I can use this to keep track of prices. This just occurred to me and it is one way to see if you are getting a good deal.
For example, if you look at the YouTube video, or check out the Modelling Tools and Glue – Flying Raven Studios page, you will see that I reviewed the standard Jacobi wooden painting handle back in April. (You can get it from Amazon (just click on the images to check them out).
This is made of black walnut and a great bit of kit which I use all the time. Looking back at the video, it is indeed a bit cheaper than it was seven months ago in the Black Friday Sale!
It is the same with the Airbrush cleaning set I use. While I have not reviewed it formally yet, it is one of the unsung heroes behind the scenes.
2) Getting a slight discount on something you were going to get anyway
Any sale can be a chance to get a bit of a discount on restocking your favorate paint colour or primers.
For example, you will see me use the Vallejo Mecha Primer in nearly all of my videos and I need to restock anyway… on top of that, it looks like the price is slightly reduced on what I paid previously so thats a win!
The smaller ticket items are rarely discounted much. But you can save on bigger paint sets and you may get colours you have not thought of trying before.
For example, you will see me use the Vallejo Model Colour range a lot. But I have been looking at this set from the same range, but a whole different bunch of colours to what I am used to using.
3) Using Black Friday Deals for Modelling inspiration
It can be really easy to get stuck in a rut when we are modeling. Always painting the same stuff.
But I could not help spotting this T-Rex diorama set from Tamiya while browsing. Yes, it’s a fairly basic diorama, but it could be an interesting challenge to paint a Jurrasic Park-style Tyrannosaurus…
Let alone building up the scenery!
What do you think?
4) Testing your skills with something new?
Leading on from the last tip, we cannot grow if we do not push our boundaries…..
So here is a challenge… If you love painting stuff like Warhammer and you have spent hours building and lovingly painting something like the Chimera or a Tau Hammerhead Gunship, then maybe test yourself with something like the US M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle by Meng.
(just click/tap the image to check out more photos on Amazon)
It will need a whole different approach. So it can challenge you to get out of your comfort zone in an interesting way.
I have not tackled this model yet, but the details (especially as it has a fully detailed interior and engine bay) look awesome!
If you would like to see me take on this challenge on the channel then let me know!
Likewise, if you are a scale modeler, maybe try a fantasy project for a change?
While I have not found any Warhammer in this year’s Black Friday sales on Amazon (please let me know if you find any), I have seen some Star Wars Legion…
and also a range of Marvel Crisis Protocol sets.
5) Saving money as a content creator
While the savings on smaller items might not be great, some much more attractive savings can be made on bigger ticket items.
When it comes to content creation, whether it is photography, video, sound or lighting, it is all too easy to get sucked into the “Shiny Kit Syndrome” black hole.
I suffer from Shiny Kit Syndrome really badly (just ask my Wife).
But I always recommend doing the research to ensure that shiny thing is what you need before you buy it.
But once you are happy with the spec and you have the money to invest, then Amazon is one place you can get it.
However, another place I have bought a lot of my camera kit from is Wex Photography. A company here in the UK that I believe will ship internationally.
But having looked through the Wex Photography Black Friday deals, you can get hundreds of pounds of certain items. So that may also be worth a look at this link via the button below .
So yes, Black Friday can be worth it, depending on what you are looking for.
That reminds me…. I really could do with a new microphone…..