Black Friday, sales, French Days: before every commercial event, the same question arises — should you wait for an alloy wheel protector promotion before fitting your alloy wheels?
Black Friday and car accessories: what the event really is
Black Friday has no legal definition in France. It falls on the Friday following the fourth Thursday in November — that is, the Friday after American Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday is the following Monday. French Days follow the same logic: a private commercial event, with no calendar set by law and no obligation to sell at a loss.
These events are governed by the standard rules on promotions, not those applicable to sales periods. The distinction is a practical one: during official sales periods (governed by Article L310-3 of the French Commercial Code and the Order of 27 May 2019), selling at a loss is permitted and items included in the sale must have been on sale for at least one month. Outside of official sales periods, these constraints do not apply — neither for the retailer nor in favour of the consumer.
A common misconception worth correcting: a discounted product retains its statutory warranties and the fourteen-day right of withdrawal for any online purchase, exactly as it would outside of a sale. The fact that an item is on promotion does not mean it loses its contractual protections.
How to check whether a discount is genuine
Since the transposition of the European Omnibus Directive, any announcement of a price reduction must be calculated on the basis of the lowest price charged by the retailer over the preceding thirty days. Inflating a reference price just before a promotional event in order to advertise a striking discount constitutes a misleading commercial practice.
A practical rule: before confirming a purchase during a Black Friday car accessories event, check whether the product in question was listed at the same crossed-out price a month ago. A reputable seller documents this reference price. If they do not, the displayed discount may be nothing more than window dressing.
For current offers on the AlloyGator set and associated accessories, the only page kept up to date is the Current Offers page — it is that page which reflects the actual current conditions, not this article.
The cost of waiting: a scuffed alloy wheel won't wait
The real question behind "should I wait for Black Friday alloy wheel deals?" is this: what is the cost of waiting?
A scuff on the rim edge of an alloy wheel does not happen on a set date. A kerb, a speed bump misjudged, a parking space that's too tight — the incident has nothing to do with the promotional calendar. Yet a rim edge repair — rebuilding, sanding, repainting — represents a cost significantly higher than any typical discount on an alloy wheel protector could offset. No specific figures are given here deliberately: prices vary depending on the type of wheel, the depth of the scuff, and the repairer. But the logic is straightforward — waiting for a promotion means betting that the incident won't happen before it arrives.
For vehicles fitted with wide or specialist alloy wheels — such as those in the Audi or BMW ranges — the cost of an alloy wheel repair is structurally higher, making the case for waiting even less favourable.
What the AlloyGator set includes, with no hidden costs
- 4 alloy wheel protectors (a complete set for one vehicle), compatible with 12 to 24 inches
- 15 colours available, viewable via the online simulator
- TÜV approval, MIRA testing
- Fitting in 45 min to 1 hour by a certified approved fitter in the network (vehicle raised, tyre deflated)
- Fitting is charged separately, from €99 depending on the approved fitter — a quote is provided before the appointment
The price of the set of 4 AlloyGator protectors is displayed in real time on the product page. For additional accessories, the alloy wheel protectors category brings together the full range.
FAQ
Does Black Friday offer better warranties than the sales?
No. During the statutory sales period, selling at a loss is permitted and items must have been in stock for at least one month. Black Friday is a private commercial event: the rules that apply are those governing ordinary promotions. Statutory warranties and the fourteen-day right of withdrawal apply in both cases for any online purchase.
How can you tell whether a discount on an alloy wheel protector is genuine?
The Omnibus Directive requires that the crossed-out reference price be the lowest price applied by the seller in the preceding thirty days. If that price was artificially inflated just before the promotion, the discount is fictitious. Compare the crossed-out price displayed with the one observed a month earlier.
Are AlloyGator Black Friday offers shown here?
No. This article explains how commercial events work; it is not updated for each edition. Current offers — whatever they may be — are available exclusively on the Current Offers page, the only one updated in real time.
