Can You Still Send a Fax in 2024? Insights on Faxing from Walgreens

While sharing digital documents is commonplace today, you may be surprised to learn that fax usage remains steady even in 2024. According to recent industry surveys, over 90% of businesses still use faxing regularly. Consumer faxing levels have declined but fax machines can still be a necessity for transmitting time-sensitive documents quickly and securely.

So when you need to fax something right away, can you walk into a Walgreens and send a fax? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Walgreens discontinued fax services in their over 9,000 pharmacy locations in 2022.

Why Do People Still Need Fax Machines in 2024?

There are a few key reasons fax remains relevant, especially for time-sensitive financial and medical documents:

• Security – Faxes travel directly over phone lines instead of the internet, reducing hacking risks. This makes faxes ideal for sensitive data like financial info.

• Compliance – Industries like healthcare, finance, and government often have compliance rules requiring faxes for certain documents.

• Signatures – Signed documents transmitted via fax are legally valid. Digital signatures work too but faxing is simple.

• Immediacy – Faxes are received within minutes without delays compared to postal mail.

According to FlexFax‘s Fax Usage Study, 66% of respondents said fax is faster than scanning and emailing. While fax usage is decreasing, millions of faxes are still sent daily in sectors where security and compliance are critical.

Where Can You Send a Fax Since Walgreens Stopped Offering Fax Services?

With no fax machines at Walgreens, where else can you go to fax documents on short notice? Fortunately there are many solid options:

Nearby Retail Stores

• FedEx Office – Over 2,000 locations with fax rates starting at $1.99 per page.

• The UPS Store – Nearly 5,000 locations. Local faxes start at $1.99 per page.

• Staples – Fax services start at $1.50 per page for US faxes.

Hotels

Many hotel front desks offer fax services for guests and the public. Average rates are $5 for the first page and $1 per additional page.

Public Libraries

Your local library likely has a fax machine you can use for a small per-page fee, often $1-$2. Call ahead to confirm availability.

Online Fax Services

Services like Fax.Plus, FaxBurner, and MetroFax let you fax digitally from your computer or phone app. Prices start around $10 per month.

Other Local Businesses

Some options like local banks, print shops, and mail/shipping centers may offer public faxing. Call around to check.

Fax Prices at Major Retail Chains

Here is a comparison of published fax rates at three major national retail chains:

Rates are for 8.5" x 11" black and white faxes

For a 1-page local fax, expect to pay around $2 at most major retail chains. Prices increase for long distance and international faxes. High volume discounts may apply for 30+ page faxes.

Conclusion

While faxing isn‘t as ubiquitous as it once was, millions still rely on the technology daily. With security, compliance, and signatures, fax fills needs that digital documents can‘t always meet. Walgreens no longer offers fax services, but consumers can turn to FedEx, Staples, and UPS retail locations when they need to fax something quickly. Overall the retail landscape provides many accessible options for faxing at reasonable rates.