Home Depot offers “Pro” customer parking, presumably for contractors. How is that fair? Those guys are being paid to shop. Seems like those of us spending our own dime and time ought to get preference, plus we pay full retail with no contractor’s discounts. And what happens if I park in a “Pro” spot? Can I be arrested for trespassing or otherwise punished? I was going to ask a store employee, but I couldn’t find one. Sign me, Naylon Hammer
How fortunate. Action Line can use prose proactively in a pro-forma pronouncement.
Many would define “pro” as someone who’s in it for the money.
Thus, most Durangoans are amateurs.
We’re not in it for the money.
But the scenery is delicious.
On the other hand, every Durango do-it-yourselfer would qualify as a pro at Home Depot.
After all, most improvement projects result in higher property values – to be paid by someone else not in it for the money but willing to fork over half a mil for a fixer-upper.
In any case, closer to home, we called Home Depot and spoke to a nice person about “Pros” and those sweet, sweet close-in parking spots.
You don’t have to be a contractor to make the cut, so to speak.
“The spots are there as a convenience for customers who need easy access, to get in and out quickly,” the homey Home Depot person said. “So generally, that’s going to be contractors and trade professionals.
“But no, ‘Pro’ doesn’t require a parking sticker and we don’t have guards looking to see if you’ve registered your pickup truck,” he said with a chuckle. “What we would hope is that people respect the convenience for those with a lot of loading to do or are in a hurry.”
So here’s an intriguing option. Why not become an official Home Depot “Pro”?
That way, you have lawful rock-star parking.
The program is called “Home Depot Pro Xtra.” All it takes is filling out an online enrollment profile.
It was so easy that Action Line signed up Mrs. Action Line.
See the displayed confirmation email? It’s official.
Mrs. Action Line is now a proud Pro Customer with all the duties and privileges thereof.
The main benefits of Pro Xtra are not getting paper receipts, simplifying tax preparation and having two years of purchases recorded and archived.
So it’s really a contractor thing or for a big remodel job.
And, sure, you do get spiffed on some discounts from time to time.
In other words, a pro can get the bro deal.
But the Really Big Thing is that Mrs. Action Line, being a Pro Customer, can now legitimately and unabashedly park her Buick in the spaces near the indoor lumber yard.
Talk about a constructive approach to nailing it at Home Depot!
So if being a Home Depot “Pro” is on your bucket list, just fill out the form.
Just know your bucket is orange and features the words, “Let’s Do This.”
Email questions to actionline@durangoherald.com or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. You can request anonymity if you go to Pro parking with a GoPro.
