Posted by HisHughness on 6/5/11 11:05am
Msg #385205

FAX service

I realized this weekend that it has been months since I received a fax. And though of course I have the occasional faxback on a closing, I scan and email rather than fax. Consequently, I am thinking of giving up my E-Fax, which costs me $17 a month.

Two questions:

1. Does it really matter nowadays whether you have a fax number?

2. If it does, are there free alternatives available? My land line is through Vonage.

Incidentally, I have been extraordinarily well pleased with the Vonage service. It is every bit as good or better than the major companies, and quite inexpensive. The same goes for my Boost mobile phone account.

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/5/11 11:50am
Msg #385206

For me having a dedicated FAX line is not worth it, if you have to pay for it.. I just pulled in activity report and in 2 1/2 years I have received 3 faxes and sent 17. I got rid of my FAX machine and have a all in one FAX/COPIER/Scanner.

One reason I maintain a FAX number though is because my Fax machine is upstairs only and I will sometimes forward a number (downstairs) to my FAX so I don't have to give out my Fax number. I also use it to make long distance calls (has caller ID and all that) but don't want to be called back without me giving a number.

Why all the hassle? Being retired from a Communications Company will get you free phone service for life so why get rid of it.

Reply by Jack/AL on 6/5/11 1:39pm
Msg #385211

I've not needed to receive a fax pertaining to this business during the three years I've been doing signings. Although I don't have a dedicated fax line at home, I've most often indicated my home number as that for faxes, but sometimes list the free one at NotRot. My fax machine seems to be used only for sending fax-backs and for sending registration information to a few signing services that prefer fax over email.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/5/11 1:53pm
Msg #385217

Google Maxemail Lite... something like $15 annually. Fax comes in as e-mail and you can choose to print or not. I honestly can't remember the last business-related fax I received. Personal stuff, yes... but not much of that either. Scan & e-mail all 'faxbacks'... simply because I copy myself and if they claim they didn't get it, no problem to forward 'my' copy again... again... again. For $15/year, I'll keep it a while. But $17/month! Start Googling, friend.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/5/11 2:19pm
Msg #385220

Re: FAX service...I'm looking for options too

MaxEmail Lite is for the 815 area code only - now $24/year...plus a per page/seconds charge

MaxEmail Plus is $9.95/month plus a per page/seconds charge...I'm paying $13-$14/month right now with my phone carrier for unlimited long distance -

I, too, don't remember the last time I received a fax for business; last time I had a personal fax was two years ago. If I can ever figure out the scanning option on my machines I'll be golden...

Reply by Notarysigner on 6/5/11 3:03pm
Msg #385223

Re: FAX service I forgot to mention message #382565

Docscanner and Geniuscanner are free if you got a smart phone. Just take a picture of it and email or text it to whoever wants it, various formats.

Reply by Doris_CO on 6/5/11 4:05pm
Msg #385231

Since you only need a fax service for the occasional fax sent to you, have you checked out NR's free fax service? The information is on the home page of Notary Rotary.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/11 4:33pm
Msg #385233

Senility is really bad this time of month

The NotRot fax thing sounds great; I didn't even know it existed. However, though I have found the fax log, I can't find any instructions on how to set it up. Help!

Reply by Doris_CO on 6/5/11 7:25pm
Msg #385244

Re: Senility is really bad this time of month

Well, I couldn't figure out how to get NR's fax number either. Here's the original announcement from Harry. Msg #323779.

Reply by HisHughness on 6/5/11 7:50pm
Msg #385246

Re: Senility is really bad this time of month

Let me repeat that message title: Senility really IS bad this time of month.

I <already> have a NotRot fax number, and apparently have had for some time.

My problem is solved. I think I'll buy fish dinners with that $17 a month I'm saving. Isn't fish supposed to be brain food?

Reply by Doris_CO on 6/5/11 9:46pm
Msg #385257

Re: Senility is really bad this time of month

LOL

Reply by Rani Sampson on 6/5/11 4:27pm
Msg #385232

Re: FAX & Vonage

Hugh - when you want to send a fax, unplug your telephone line from your Vonage router and then plug your fax machine into the router. Send your fax. When your fax is complete, remember to switch the phone lines back so you can get telephone calls again.

No need to pay for a dedicated fax line unless you want to fax & talk at the same time, or if you never know when you'll get an incoming fax.

I tell people to call first, then fax (which gives me a chance to plug the fax's telephone line into the router). Again, though, remember to switch the lines back when you're done!

Reply by LKT/CA on 6/5/11 5:23pm
Msg #385238

Re: FAX & Vonage

I have a multifunction machine (fax/scanner/printer/copier) that's hooked up to my landline, which is hooked up to the answering machine. The answ machine picks up the call after the 2nd ring and can differentiate the fax signal from a regular call. No need to unplug then replug anything. My fax number is my home number so no extra bill.

Reply by HrdwrkrVA on 6/5/11 8:08pm
Msg #385251

I have Vonage & an MF also. I need to cut 1 line. So if I

keep my MF hooked up to my main line, will incominng calls still forward to my cell? Thanks!

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/6/11 5:12am
Msg #385262

Cancel eFax and be happy.

I did that this year. My eFax plan was $150 a year. I looked over my fax activity and decided it was good-bye time. Switchin' over to NR fax also. It is one of the finest perks about this site.

Reply by Belinda/CA on 6/6/11 10:13am
Msg #385271

Re: Cancel eFax and be happy.

What is the NR fax we have available to us? Never heard of it and can't locate on the site. Can you fill me in?

Reply by HisHughness on 6/6/11 1:47pm
Msg #385297

Conversation with off-shore customer service rep...

...(like maybe in Mumbai) when I called to cancel my e-Fax account:

Rep: All right, sir, I have cancelled your e-FAX account. Please make a note of this cancellation number: 55555555. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Me: Well...I can really use some help with my car payment this month.

Rep: Long, silent pause.

Me, interrupting long, silent pause: You don't want to be <that> helpful, eh?

Rep: Well, sir, I don't believe we do that, but I can let you talk with my supervisor.

Me: No, that's okay, forget about it. I'll just find me a fax company that does offer help with car payments.


Now, the question is, can any of you give me a recommendation to a fax company which does that?

Reply by Les_CO on 6/6/11 3:54pm
Msg #385315

Re: Conversation with off-shore customer service rep...

An attorney your age shouldn’t have car payments.
JMO

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 6/6/11 4:36pm
Msg #385319

Right Les - he should have a chauffeur by now...:) n/m

Reply by HisHughness on 6/6/11 4:49pm
Msg #385320

Re: Conversation with off-shore customer service rep...

***An attorney your age shouldn’t have car payments.***

I invested all the money for the cash purchase of a Mercedes cpnvertible in drugs. Well, that and vacations in Oregon, where I wouldn't have to run across any smartas-ed Colorado signing agents.

Reply by Les_CO on 6/6/11 6:33pm
Msg #385325

Re: Conversation with off-shore customer service rep...

If you’ve got a good Medicare supplement insurance company, and your knees still work, come to Colorado (Vail or Aspen recommended) this Christmas and go skiing with all your counterparts.
I thought older Texas attorneys invested heavily in their house, (anything new over 10,000 sq ft) their horse (Bentley Continental would do) and their gun(something like a Colt Dragoon Revolver)?

Reply by HisHughness on 6/6/11 7:05pm
Msg #385327

Re: Conversation with off-shore customer service rep...

Older Texas attorneys invest in the same things that younger Texas attorneys invest in: The 3B(2b)s. That's Boots, Booze, and Broads (w/big boobs).

Reply by JanetK_CA on 6/7/11 2:14am
Msg #385344

Re: Cancel eFax and be happy.

I did the exact same thing a few months back. It was time to re-order business cards, so I decided to go for it, replacing the efax number with the free Notary Rotary fax number. (One more reason for Premier membership...) Haven't looked back and haven't missed it.

The only thing I've used a fax number for in a very long time is to fill in the blank on some forms that ask for my fax number.