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Stationary equipment like a fax machine, isn’t portable, meaning it can’t be carried around easily. When you’re traveling or away from your usual workspace, finding a fax machine might be challenging, especially during business trips or vacations. Knowing how to find places nearby where you can fax documents becomes crucial for handling important tasks or closing deals while on the move. These locations often include post offices, UPS stores, and various businesses that provide faxing services.
Alternatively, using online faxing services presents a practical solution. These services enable you to send and receive faxes over the internet using a computer or mobile device. This option becomes particularly convenient when you’re traveling, ensuring you can manage essential business communications from anywhere with internet access.
Fax services nearby
In today’s technologically advanced era, tools like Google Docs, portable scanners in smartphones, digital signatures, and cloud storage have significantly streamlined document handling. However, despite these digital innovations, there are situations where sending a fax remains necessary.
Sometimes, a reliable internet connection might not be available. Moreover, certain institutions—such as government agencies, legal or medical offices, or specific organizations—might still favor or mandate faxed documents.
For those instances when faxing is unavoidable, we’ve compiled a list of places where you can send a fax for free or at a minimal cost. Additionally, we also highlight the places where fax services aren’t available, providing a comprehensive resource for your faxing needs.
Fax services we recommend
When looking for reliable fax services, there are several options you can consider based on your location and memberships. If you’re seeking a nationwide option known for its quality faxing services and cost-effectiveness, Staples is a recommended choice. They offer high-quality faxing capabilities and are available across the country.
However, if there are no Staples stores nearby, similar stores such as Office Depot/OfficeMax and The UPS Store usually offer comparable pricing for faxing services. These alternatives might be suitable if you cannot access a Staples location.
Another option worth considering is utilizing your AAA membership benefits. As an AAA member, you might have the opportunity to complete your scanning projects at an AAA office without any additional charges, which can be a convenient and cost-effective solution.
Additionally, if you maintain a good standing as a customer at a specific bank, it’s possible that your local branch may offer free fax services. Banks sometimes provide this benefit to their customers as part of their services.
Considering these options based on your location, memberships, and affiliations can help you find the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your faxing needs.
Places to send a fax near me
Major shipping stores & office supply stores commonly provide fax machines for public use. They are widespread and can often be found easily.
Apart from shipping and office supply stores, there are a few other types of stores that offer faxing services. However, accessing these services might require membership or guest privileges. While these stores offer fax services, they typically do not disclose their prices on their websites. The cost might vary depending on the store’s location, and prices are subject to change.
The list provided prioritizes the most accessible and cost-effective options for using fax services, offering guidance on where to start when looking for a convenient and affordable faxing solution nearby.
1. The UPS Store
The UPS Store provides fax services, allowing you to both send and receive faxes. With over 4,900 locations nationwide, it’s highly probable that you’ll find a nearby store where you can send a fax.
Regarding costs, the pricing can differ based on your location. Generally, the charges for faxing at UPS stores are:
- $1.00 for faxing one page locally, with an additional $1.00 for each extra page.
- $2.00 for faxing one page nationally, and $1.00 for each additional page.
- $3.00 for faxing one page internationally, with a $3.00 charge for every extra page.
In essence, The UPS Store offers affordable faxing services. To get more specific details about faxing services and their prices, it’s best to check with your local store.
For further information on fax services at The UPS Store, you can visit here. You can also locate a UPS Store close to you.
2. FedEx
You can go to any nearby FedEx Office and use the fax services at your convenience. You can both send and receive faxes. FedEx caters to local, domestic, and international destinations. Moreover, the faxing capability accommodates various document sizes, including letter and legal-size documents.
One of the advantages of using FedEx for faxing is the flexibility it offers. You can either opt for the self-service station, enabling you to handle the faxing process independently or seek assistance from a team member for a more guided experience. Additionally, utilizing FedEx’s fax services grants you a complimentary fax cover sheet, a handy inclusion for formal or organized communication.
In terms of pricing, starting at $1.89, FedEx proves to be a cost-effective option for sending faxes, making it an affordable choice compared to many alternatives.
For those seeking further information about FedEx’s fax services, you can learn more here.
- Find a FedEx store near you here.
In summary, FedEx’s fax services offer convenience, flexibility, various document size support, affordability, and easy accessibility through either self-service or team member assistance, making it a reliable option for sending faxes locally and internationally.
3. OfficeMax/Office Depot
At OfficeMax/Office Depot, you have access to Self-Service Printers that offer secure faxing options for your documents. These machines allow you to send faxes locally, domestically within the US, and even internationally. The pricing starts at $1.50 per page for sending faxes, and notably, there is no additional charge for the cover page.
With a widespread presence of 1,378 locations across the country, finding an OfficeMax/Office Depot near you for faxing services is highly likely.
To explore further details regarding fax services at OfficeMax/Office Depot, you can learn more here. Additionally, you can locate the nearest OfficeMax/Office Depot store for your convenience.
Moreover, apart from fax services, your local Office Depot/OfficeMax store is also a great place to get free moving boxes.
4. Staples
Staples provides fax services through self-service machines available in their stores. These machines allow you to fax documents and access files from a flash drive or the cloud via services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
The cost for faxing at Staples is as follows:
- Locally: $1.79 for the first page, $1.59 for each additional page.
- Nationally: $2.39 for the first page, $2.19 for each additional page.
- Internationally: $5.99 for the first page, $3.99 for each additional page.
However, these prices might vary depending on the specific Staples store, so it’s advisable to check with your local Staples to confirm the exact cost of using their fax services.
5. Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee is a chain of grocery stores with a total of 265 locations spread across eight Midwestern states in the United States. These states include Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
If you’re close to one of their stores, you might have the option to send a fax from there. The cost for sending a fax through Hy-Vee is $2.00 for the first page and an additional $1.00 for each extra page beyond the initial one.
6. PostalAnnex
PostalAnnex is a company that helps with shipping and business needs. One of its services is faxing, which allows you to send faxes locally or internationally. They have over 300 locations, so there might be one close to where you are.
The cost of faxing depends on the specific location you use. Typically, they charge between $1 to $2 for each page you send.
To find out the exact cost of using their fax service, you can either visit the nearest PostalAnnex store or give them a call for more information.
7. AAA Club
The AAA, or American Automobile Association, is a club that provides various services to its members, such as roadside assistance, travel planning, and discounts on services. If you’re a member of AAA, you might have access to faxing services at local branches without any charge.
This benefit extends to most office locations affiliated with AAA. Besides faxing, AAA also offers other services like notary and copy services. If you’re not already a member, considering signing up could be worthwhile due to the range of benefits available.
- You can join your local AAA Club here.
8. H-E-B
H-E-B is a supermarket chain found in Texas and Northeast Mexico, operating around 340 stores in these regions. Many of these H-E-B locations offer fax services for customers. However, the fees for sending faxes may differ from store to store.
To find out more details about faxing services, it’s best to inquire at the Business Center of your nearby H-E-B store.
9. Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J is a company that operates travel centers across the United States and a few in Canada, offering various services for travelers. Despite having numerous locations in the author’s area, they hadn’t heard of the company until researching for an article.
The company provides roadside assistance, food, and fuel services for travelers on the road. Additionally, many of their centers offer business services like Western Union, check cashing, coin exchange, and fax services.
The cost and availability of faxing may differ by location, but generally, they charge around $2 per page for fax services. This can be convenient for travelers needing fax services while on the go.
10. Local banks
Local banks typically provide fax services to their customers as part of their offerings. Many banks don’t explicitly mention this service on their websites, but they often provide it for free.
If you’re unsure whether your bank offers fax services, a simple call to the bank can clarify this. By contacting them, you can inquire if they fax documents for customers and if there’s any associated cost. Sometimes this service might be free of charge, while in other cases, there might be a nominal fee.
Additionally, if you’re not a member of a bank that’s nearby but need to fax documents, it’s still worth contacting them to ask if they provide fax services for non-members. They might offer this service either for free or for a small fee, even if you don’t hold an account with them. It’s always a good idea to directly inquire about the availability and potential costs of fax services, as they might differ from bank to bank.
11. Hotel chains
Hotel chains often offer a variety of services to their guests, such as Wi-Fi, and one of these services can include faxing. Some hotels within these chains have a designated business center where guests can access a fax machine, while others might have a fax machine available in a private office for staff use.
In either case, hotels typically have a fax machine accessible for guests’ use or for sending faxes on their behalf. If you’re staying at the hotel, you can inquire at the front desk about using their fax services. Even if you’re not a guest, some hotels might still assist you in faxing documents, although they might charge a small fee for this service.
12. Credit unions
Credit unions, similar to banks, often offer a complimentary fax service to their members. This means that customers who belong to a credit union can typically use fax machines at their credit union’s branch without incurring any additional charges or fees.
13. Libraries
Libraries often offer fax services, but not all of them do. To check if your local library provides this service and to know the associated costs, simply call or visit them. While some libraries charge for faxing, others might offer this service for free.
14. Friends and family
The idea here is to reach out to your friends or family members to see if they have a fax machine available. Many individuals have access to a fax machine either in their workplace or at home.
You might be surprised to find out that someone you know owns one. Simply ask a friend or family member if they’d be willing to help you by sending a document through their fax machine. It’s a straightforward way to utilize existing resources without needing to obtain a fax machine yourself.
15. Travel agent offices
When you’re away from home and need to send documents via fax, certain local travel agent offices might provide this service. These offices could assist you even if you’re not their client. However, not all travel agencies offer fax services, so it’s essential to verify before visiting.
If you find yourself in need of faxing documents while away from your hometown, one convenient option is to reach out to local travel agencies. To locate nearby travel agencies, you can use search engines like Google and type in “travel agency near me.” This search may help you find a suitable agency that provides the faxing service you require during your travels.
16. At work
At your workplace, you might have access to the fax machine for official tasks. However, if you intend to send documents unrelated to work, it’s essential to get permission from your boss beforehand. They might allow you to use the fax machine without any charges for personal use after you’ve asked them.
17. College campuses
University and college campuses often provide access to fax machines for students. This means that if you’re attending classes there, you might have the opportunity to send faxes without any cost or at a minimal fee. Usually, these fax machines are available in common areas like the library.
To find out if your campus offers this service, you can inquire at the library or speak with a counselor or administrative staff. They can let you know if there’s a fax machine accessible to students and provide guidance on how to use it. This can be beneficial if you need to send important documents or forms via fax while on campus.
18. Your apartment complex
Living in an apartment complex might grant you access to a convenient option for sending faxes. Certain complexes come equipped with a small business center located in their leasing office.
This setup could include a fax machine among its amenities. If your apartment complex boasts such a business center, you could probably utilize their fax machine at no cost or possibly for a nominal fee.
How can I send a fax online?
Sending a fax online involves using an internet-based fax service rather than a traditional fax machine. It’s a good option if you need to send faxes regularly. These online fax services allow you to send faxes using your computer, tablet, smartphone, or any internet-connected device, depending on the service you choose.
These services usually require signing up, often with a subscription fee or pay-per-use model. After signing up, you can upload the document you want to fax, enter the recipient’s fax number, and send the fax directly from the service’s website or app.
Several online fax services are available, and some popular options to consider include:
19. RingCentral
RingCentral is a comprehensive communication platform that includes online faxing along with other business communication tools.
RingCentral offers various plans for its fax services, catering to different needs and budgets:
- Standard Plan ($17.99/month): This plan includes basic features for faxing with limited usage.
- Premium Plan ($24.99/month): This tier likely offers additional features beyond the Standard Plan, such as more pages, advanced functionalities, or priority support.
- Ultimate Plan ($49.99/month): This is the top-tier plan, likely providing extensive features, larger usage limits, and perhaps advanced integrations or dedicated support.
The Standard Plan at $17.99/month seems to be the base offering, while the Premium Plan at $24.99/month might provide unlimited internet faxing. The Ultimate Plan at $49.99/month would likely offer the most comprehensive set of features and support.
A free trial is usually available for prospective customers to test out the service before committing to a paid plan. This allows users to explore the features and assess whether the service meets their requirements.
When choosing a plan, consider your faxing needs, such as the number of pages you expect to send/receive monthly, desired features, integration capabilities, and customer support. Assessing these factors will help determine which plan suits you best.
20. Metro Fax
MetroFax offers fax services with varying pricing plans:
- Basic Plan: Starting at $8.99 per month, allows sending 500 pages per month.
- Top Plan: Priced at $29.96 per month, allows sending up to 2500 pages per month.
Additionally, they offer a 14-day free trial allowing users to test their services before committing to a paid plan.
21. HelloFax
HelloFax service integrates with Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage platforms, allowing easy access to documents for faxing.
HelloFax offers a free plan allowing users to send up to 5 fax pages for free. After this limit, subscription plans start at $9.99 per month and can range up to $39.99 a month.
The number of faxes you can send monthly varies between 300 and 1,000 pages depending on the plan selected. They also provide a free trial option for users to explore the service before committing to a subscription.
22. MyFax
MyFax is a service that allows you to send and receive faxes online without the need for a traditional fax machine. They offer different subscription plans at varying costs, starting from $8.33 per month and going up to $33.30 per month.
With MyFax, you can opt for a free 14-day trial to test out their services before committing to a plan. Depending on the subscription you choose, you’ll have the capacity to send a certain number of pages each month, ranging from 100 to 400 pages. This means you can select a plan that aligns with your faxing needs, whether it’s occasional use or more frequent faxing requirements.
23. eFax
eFax enables you to send faxes via email or a dedicated mobile app, making it convenient to manage from various devices.
eFax online fax service charges between $14.30 and $16.63 per month, billed annually, along with a $10 setup fee. With this service, you can send a monthly limit of 150 to 200 pages. If you require more pages, you have the option to inquire about an eFax Corporate account that offers customizable page volume based on your needs.
24. FaxZero
FaxZero is a service that works well if you only need to send faxes occasionally. It offers a certain number of free faxes per day, but there’s a limit. If you need to send larger faxes or exceed the free limit, you can do so by paying a cost for the additional services. This platform provides flexibility for occasional faxing needs but might require payment for more extensive or frequent faxing.
Is fax still needed today?
Absolutely, faxing remains relevant today for specific situations, despite technological advancements. Its significance lies in legal and governmental contexts, where it continues to hold weight as a reliable means of communication.
In various industries and businesses, especially in legal affairs, contracts, and official documentation, faxing remains a preferred method due to its legally binding nature. Many organizations and government bodies still mandate the use of fax for transmitting documents as it’s seen as an official form of communication. Additionally, having a physical copy of the faxed document serves as legal proof, further reinforcing its importance.
Compared to emails, faxed documents carry higher credibility and legality. This distinction is particularly crucial in sectors requiring contracts and official acknowledgments. Moreover, the inclusion of signatures on faxed files enhances their validity and legal standing.
However, the challenge with faxing lies in the accessibility of fax machines. Personal fax machines are increasingly rare, and locating one nearby can be challenging. Consequently, finding accessible places equipped with fax services becomes essential, as the need for faxing might arise unexpectedly, especially in legal or official matters.
Can I fax at Walgreens?
Walgreens doesn’t offer fax services at the moment. They focus on pharmaceutical and personal care needs but don’t have fax machines available for customers to use. If you need to fax something, you might find fax machines at other convenience stores nearby. Consider checking around or using Google to find a place that provides fax services.
Can I send a fax at the Post Office?
In the United States, many post offices offer faxing services along with traditional postal services like mailing and copying. You can find a nearby post office that provides faxing by using a post office locator.
If, however, your local post office doesn’t have faxing facilities, you can explore other options such as FedEx, Postal Annex, or UPS, as they often offer fax services as well. These alternatives can serve as backup options if your local post office doesn’t have a fax machine available.
Where can I receive a fax near me?
If you’re looking to receive a fax nearby, you have several options available. Places like FedEx, the Postal Annex, UPS, and certain office supply stores offer fax receiving services.
However, before someone can send you a fax, you’ll need to schedule an appointment with the specific shop where you plan to receive it. During this appointment, they will provide you with their fax number, which the sender will need to use.
It’s essential to be present when the fax arrives at the designated location because you wouldn’t want just anyone accessing the information sent in the fax. Being there ensures that you receive the fax promptly and securely, safeguarding the confidentiality of the information contained in the document.
Places where you can’t send a fax
There are several places where you might not find faxing services available:
- Costco: While Costco offers various services, faxing isn’t typically among them. The focus is usually on retail and wholesale goods rather than office services.
- CVS: CVS, like many pharmacies, doesn’t provide faxing services. Their focus remains primarily on healthcare and pharmaceutical needs.
- The U.S. Postal Service: Surprisingly, the USPS does not offer faxing services. They focus on mail-related services, not faxing.
- Walgreens: Similar to CVS, Walgreens primarily focuses on healthcare and retail, lacking faxing services.
- Walmart: Although Walmart offers a range of services, faxing isn’t usually one of them. They concentrate more on retail goods and limited additional services.
It’s important to note that while these places might not offer faxing services, many other businesses, office centers, dedicated printing shops, or shipping services might provide faxing facilities for those in need.
The bottom line
Sometimes, when we need to send a fax but don’t have access to a fax machine, it can be challenging to find one. It’s helpful to have a list of places where you can check for fax services. The good thing about the places and tips I mentioned earlier is that some of them offer free faxing services.
You might have noticed that the United States Postal Service (USPS) wasn’t included in the list I provided. Many people often wonder if they can fax documents at the post office. Unfortunately, the USPS does not offer fax services. I wanted to clarify this in case you were considering the post office as an option. However, there are several other alternatives listed above that you can explore for faxing your documents, so it’s worth trying those instead.