Is This Wrong? How to Avoid SmartPark Parking Fee

May 25th, 2007

Portland has a parking garage company called SmartPark. The rates are pretty affordable for night or weekend parking, but weekday rates are similar to other companies.

The upside to SmartPark is that hundreds of stores in Portland validate, each giving you 2 free hours of parking. Buy from 4 different stores and you get 8 hours of free parking or one full work day. This can be handy if you occasionally need to drive into work, rather than using mass transit or other (cheaper) commuter options.

Now, I’m curious what you all think. Do you feel it’s okay to buy something just to get the validation and then return the item?

Of course, the act of buying and then returning takes precious time out of your life. Do you feel it’s even worth it to do this?

If you like this post, please use the icons to print, save, or share it:
  • Print
  • PDF
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon

Entry Filed under: Transportation

Leave a Comment

Required

Required, hidden

Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Trackback this post  |  Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed


Featured Deals

Ongoing Free/Discount Days

Oregon History Museum: Two children admitted free per one paying adult on the third Saturday of each month

Oregon Zoo: $4 admission on the second Tuesday of each month

Portland Children's Museum: Free admission on the first Friday of each month from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

World Forestry Center: $3 admission on the first Wednesday of each month

Oregon Maritime Museum: Free admission for families with children younger than 14 on the third Saturday of every month.

Washington County Museum:
Family Day from 10 am to 2 pm on the second Saturday of every month, free admission.

Partnerships

Getting There

Ads

Ads chosen by Google:

Subscribe

Archives

Admin

Acorn Host - Woman Owned, Green Powered.