OK, I admit, I've been sponging the last several days. You know, consuming everything I can at this forum! I love it. The same way I loved the rubber stamp forum I found when I started scrapbooking and the same way I loved the multiples forum when I had my twins. The internet is an amazing thing.

Now my question: At the forum I saw reference to having a fax. I don't currently own one and even if I did I don't have a line to hook it too. (I use cell only.) Suddenly a reasonable expense becomes a monthly expense too! What do you use your fax for that there isn't another way to get? Is it simply just a convenience for your clients to have another mode of contact?

I'd like to hear why some of you have them and why others don't.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Sundi

Hi Sundi Welcome to the forums, so glad to know you're finding the site useful!

You know, you don't necessarily need a physical fax machine - there are free fax sending and receiving services that you can use should the need arise.

There are some instances that you may need to fax documents to or on behalf of a client, and some clients may need to fax to you. I send and receive an average of 5 faxes per month - not a ton, but the free services have been a great help.

Check our industry directory section of resources for VAs (look in 'online services') for a few free options!

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I use MyFax it is a web-based fax service. They will provide you a local or toll-free fax number. It is just a convenience to my clients that prefer to send a fax rather than scan a document and email it. The client faxes to your fax # and then you recieve an email with a pdf doc attached.

I love it, it is very convenient. You can send faxes directly from Word or Excel as well, or you can send a scanned document. It's only $10/mo or less if you purchase it by the year.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

GREAT! I have experience with the virtual side of faxing so it gave me pause to see someone (especially with everyone at this site *being* virtual) mention a fax. The person who mentioned it was probably speaking virtual even...I was just thinking physical.

Thanks! Next question to come in next string...

Make it a great day!

Sundi

I use MaxEmail.com and I love it for faxing. I only receive faxes in and then I scan them and send them back by e-mail but it works well for my needs and it's really, really inexpensive (I think less than $15 for the year)...

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Sincerely,

Erin Blaskie of Business Services, ETC

I use My Fax for receiving and sending electronic documents as faxes. I also have a fax machine for sending hard copy faxes.

I have actually had a fax machine (part of an all-in-one printer system) connected to my home phone line for years. You'd be surprised how many people and businesses still use hardcopy faxing, especially smaller businesses like services companies and contractors. Anyway I know you don't use a land line so I wanted to throw in another electronic suggestion. Look into eFax.com. They have accounts that you can pay a monthly fee for or they have a fee-free account that assigns you a non-local number. I know this is a good company. My Real Estate Broker uses this company for our agents that wish to use and e-faxing solution.

Best regards,

Jessica Messerschmitt
Keystone Business Support Solutions

I still use a physical fax machine. Maybe its time for me to look into fax thru email.

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Carlana Charles - Ciboney Virtual Solutions
Web: http://ciboneyvirtual.com Blog:http://ciboneyvirtual.com/blog

I just have to jump in and say that I'm so happy to see so many VAs using eFaxing! My husband and I are switching for environmental reasons and I really wasn't sure how many VAs used some sort of virtual faxing service. It makes my heart happy! And thanks for the input on the different services. We're still shopping around.

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Brianna Young, VA and Graphic Artist
www.virtualsolutionsadmin.com
"It's not the piano that makes beautiful music. It's the person sitting AT the piano!"

I have a hard copy fax machine but I have also used efax in the past. I have found efax to be a great service.

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Shari Sultana
Online Business Manager (marketing for retail ecommerce)