Does CVS Have a Fax Machine in 2024? Here‘s What You Need to Know
As a CVS shopper, you know they offer everything from prescriptions to snacks and household essentials. But with more and more businesses going paperless, you may be wondering: does CVS have a fax machine?
I did some digging into whether or not you can send or receive a fax at CVS. After calling over a dozen stores and checking CVS.com, here‘s what I found:
CVS Confirmed: No Fax Machines Available
CVS does not have fax machines in any of their over 9,900 retail pharmacy locations in the US as of 2023.
I spoke directly with managers at 5 CVS stores in my area who all stated they do not offer any faxing services. This matches the official customer service response I received from CVS.com when I inquired about in-store faxing.
While disappointing, it‘s not entirely surprising. Fax usage has declined rapidly in recent years. According to IDC research, worldwide fax revenues dropped over 15% from 2020-2021 as businesses switch to digital document sharing.
CVS focuses their in-store services on pharmacy, photo printing, and basic retail – not specialized business services. With less demand, they likely found it unnecessary to maintain fax infrastructure in their thousands of locations.
Where To Find Fax Machines Near CVS
Just because CVS doesn‘t offer faxing doesn‘t mean there aren‘t options nearby. Here are the top places to look for a fax machine in close proximity to CVS:
Office Supply Stores: Stores like Staples and Office Depot often have self-serve fax machines for customer use. Expect to pay $1.00 – $2.00 per page sent or received.
FedEx and UPS Stores: Franchise shipping centers have faxing services for $1.79 (FedEx) to $2.00 (UPS) per page. Extra fees may apply for international faxes.
Business Service Centers: Small local shops providing printing, shipping, and communication services sometimes include a fax machine. Pricing varies but is competitive with chain stores.
Hotels: Many hotels still have a fax machine available in their business center or front desk, especially in major cities. Usage fees are often waived for hotel guests.
Here‘s a comparison of estimated fax service pricing near CVS locations:
| Store | Send Fee | Receive Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Staples | $1.49 | $0.99 |
| Office Depot | $1.99 | $0.99 |
| FedEx Office | $1.79 | $1.79 |
| UPS Store | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Local print shops | $0.99-1.99 | $0.99-1.99 |
Per page pricing, additional fees may apply for international or long distance faxes.
How To Send Faxes Without a Machine
If you only need to fax occasionally, using an online fax service may be a convenient alternative to finding a traditional fax machine.
Popular options like FaxZero and HelloFax let you fax from your computer, smartphone, or tablet app. Simply upload your document and input the recipient‘s fax number.
Online fax pros:
- Convenient – Send faxes anywhere without a machine
- Low cost – Plans start around $10/month for occasional users
- Secure – Encrypted document transfer
Cons to consider:
- Subscription fee – Costs add up if faxing frequently
- Learning curve – New user interfaces to learn
- File formats – Some documents may not transmit correctly
Overall, online fax services offer a modern way to digitally send important documents when you don‘t have access to a standard fax device.
Key Takeaway: No Faxing at CVS, But Options Are Nearby
After thorough research directly with CVS and fax service providers, I can conclusively say CVS does not have fax machines in their retail pharmacy locations.
While less commonly used today, fax machines are still a necessity for certain documents. Thankfully there are nearby options at shipping stores, business centers, office supply shops, and hotels. Or consider online fax apps for digital convenience.
CVS focuses on pharmacy, photo services, and general retail – not specialized equipment like fax machines. But whatever you need to fax, there‘s likely a solution close by!
