Will Home Depot start charging to park your car? Rumors swirl; here's the truth

A viral rumor had Home Depot customers wondering if they would have to pay just to park. The discussion began after a convincing article circulated online. Now, the retailer is putting the record straight and clearing up any confusion once and for all.

Where did the parking fee rumor come from?

The rumor started with a fake April Fool's Day article published by Pro Tool Reviews, which many people mistook for the real thing. Pro Tool Reviews stated that Home Depot would be imposing a parking lot fee in order to fight inflation, as per a report by Parade.

How has Home Depot responded to the buzz?

The company quickly shut it down, assuring customers that parking remains free and has no plans to change. Home Depot has confirmed that it will not charge customers for parking at its stores, as per a report by Parade.


On April 4, a Home Depot representative told Today, "This was an April Fool's joke that Pro Tool Reviews posted without our knowledge." "We do not charge parking lot fees and don’t plan to." With 2,347 locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico, it's safe to assume that customers will feel more at ease knowing that parking is free.

Pro Tool Reviews provided a comprehensive payment schedule, thus customers falling for the ruse is not wholly unexpected.

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What did the fake article claim?

According to the article, parking costs will differ depending on the area, with prices in central Florida starting at $2 for up to two hours and going up to $5 for a full day in Los Angeles.

Parking fees can be avoided in a number of ways. The article went on to say, "For instance, customers who spend more than $250 in a single visit will receive an in-store credit for parking."

Also, if a member of The Home Depot Pro Xtra loyalty program spends more than $1,000 during the course of the year, they will receive free parking.

Even worse, Pro Tool Reviews published a fake Home Depot statement about the changes.

The fake press release said, “Inflation has hit us hard, from labour shortages to supply chain costs.” “We can prevent these expenses from being passed on to our customers in the form of increased lumber, tool, and gardening supply prices by enacting a small parking fee,” as quoted in a report by Parade.

FAQs

Is Home Depot going to charge for parking?
Nope! The company claims it has no plans to do so.

Where did the rumor originate?
It all began with a fake April Fools' Day article that duped many people.