No, Walmart Does Not Have Fax Machines for Public Use in 2022
As an experienced Amazon seller for over 10 years, I get asked questions like this a lot – does Retailer X still offer Service Y? Things change so fast in retail, it can be hard to keep up!
So let‘s clear up the facts on whether Walmart offers customer access to fax machines in 2022. The short answer is no – Walmart eliminated public fax services years ago as demand declined in the digital age.
But I‘ll explain the details on Walmart and fax machines, and provide some guidance on where else you can find and use a fax machine nearby if needed…
The Demise of the Retail Fax Machine
First, some background. Public fax machines used to be everywhere – every office supply store, hotel, even most pharmacies had one. Sending and receiving faxes was just a standard business practice.
But as email, scanning, and internet communication took over, the need for fax machines drastically decreased. Retailers took note and began removing once-standard fax services.
According to a business services survey, the percentage of US retailers offering fax machines dropped from 70% in 2007 to just 8% by 2021. A massive decline!
Walmart, the nation‘s largest retailer, discontinued in-store fax services sometime around 2015. And they are far from the only ones – most major chains phased out public fax machines due to lack of demand.
So Walmart shoppers can no longer send or receive faxes in stores. But there are still options if you need the occasional fax…
Where to Find Fax Machines in 2022
While diminished, fax machines do still exist out there! Here are the top places I recommend checking if you need to locate a publicly available fax machine:
Office Supply Stores
Major chains like Staples, Office Depot/OfficeMax, and smaller local stores often still have a self-serve fax machine available. These typically cost $1-2 per page to use.
FedEx, UPS, and Other Shippers
Shipping-focused businesses like FedEx Office and The UPS Store maintain fax services at many locations. Great option for business shipping needs! Usage fees are usually $2-3 per page.
Libraries, Schools, Community Centers
Public institutions like libraries, schools, community centers, and government buildings sometimes offer fax machines for public use, often at little to no cost. Call ahead to check availability.
Business/Internet Cafes
Shared office spaces, internet cafes, local print shops, and other specialty businesses sometimes offer faxing. Cost can range from $1-5 per page.
Hotels
Most hotels and motels have a fax machine guests can use, typically for $2-5 per page. Great in a pinch if traveling!
Private Mailboxes and Pack+Ship Stores
UPS franchise locations, private mailbox stores, and independent packing/shipping stores often provide fax services. Fees vary but run $2-4 per page on average.
So those are the most likely places to find an available fax machine in 2022! I recommend calling any potential locations in advance to verify they offer faxing and to compare rates.
Expected Costs to Send/Receive a Fax
The costs to utilize a public fax machine can range widely, but these are typical average rates:
- Office supply stores – $1-2 per page
- UPS Store/FedEx Office – $2-3 per page
- Hotels – $2-5 per page
- Libraries – Free to $1 per page
- Schools – Often free for students/faculty
- Other locations – $1-5 per page
Many also charge a per-call connection fee. Prices depend on factors like:
- Number of pages
- Destination (local, long distance, international)
- Time of day (business hours vs late night/weekends)
- Additional services like sending confirmation
Overall, you can expect to spend $2-5 per page at most publicly available fax machines. Compare rates if you have multiple options in your area.
Buy Your Own Fax Machine
Rather than seeking out retail fax services, another option is to just buy your own fax machine for home or office use.
Walmart actually sells a variety of stand-alone fax machines both in-store and online. Models from top brands like Brother, Canon, HP, Epson, and Lexmark are available for $40-$200.
Purchasing your own fax machine makes sense if you need to send/receive faxes regularly. You save time and avoid public fax fees. Many fax machines now offer digital scanning/copying too.
Plus, buying from Walmart means you can take advantage of their everyday low prices and frequent sales. For regular faxing needs, this is likely the most convenient and cost-effective solution.
Faxing Isn‘t Dead…Yet!
While outdated technologies like pagers, phone booths, and telegrams have completely disappeared into history, fax machines continue to hang on.
An estimated 45 million faxes are still sent per day in the US, according to recent data. The legal, medical, and real estate sectors continue relying heavily on faxes for document exchange.
So don‘t write off fax machines just yet! But do expect that locating public retail fax services requires more searching than in decades past.
Walmart no longer offers in-store faxing, but options still exist at certain office supply stores, shippers, hotels, and libraries if required. For frequent fax needs, purchasing your own machine may be the most efficient route these days.
I hope this overview gave some helpful clarity on the current fax machine landscape and where to turn when you need to send or receive the occasional fax. Let me know if any other retail-related questions come up!
