Yes, Office Depot offers fax services at most locations through their Copy and Print Centers. You can send domestic and international faxes using their self-service machines or with staff assistance.
However, Office Depot’s fax costs add up quickly, especially for multi-page or international documents. Plus, you’re limited to store hours and must travel to their location each time you need to send a fax.
For most users, online fax services like PayPerFax offer a better solution – lower costs, 24/7 availability, and the convenience of faxing from anywhere.
Office Depot Fax Service Details
Office Depot provides fax services during regular store hours at participating locations. You’ll need to visit the store in person to use their machines.
Office Depot Fax Pricing:
- Local faxes: $1.49 first page, $1.29 additional pages
- Domestic long-distance: $1.99 first page, $1.79 additional pages
- International faxes: $7.99 first page, $3.99 additional pages
Cost Alert: A 3-page international fax at Office Depot costs $15.97. The same fax costs just $2.00 with PayPerFax – saving you nearly $14.
Process: Bring your documents to the store, use the fax machine (with staff help if needed), pay at the counter after receiving your confirmation receipt.
Hours: Limited to store operating hours, typically 9 AM – 7 PM
5 Alternatives to Office Depot Fax Services
1. Online Fax Services
Online fax services let you send documents directly from your computer or mobile device without visiting any physical location.
PayPerFax offers pay-as-you-go faxing with no subscription required. Upload your document, enter the recipient’s fax number, and send instantly.
- Cost: $2.00 for first three pages, $0.75 each additional page
- Available: 24/7 from any device
- No Registration: No account creation or subscription required
- Security: SSL encrypted transmission
- Formats: PDF, DOCX, DOC, JPG supported
- Payment: Only charged for successful delivery
2. Other Office Supply Stores
Staples offers similar fax services with comparable pricing to Office Depot.
- Cost: Around $1-$2 per page depending on destination
- Hours: Store hours only
- Process: In-person service at copy centers
- Availability: Most locations offer fax services
3. Shipping Centers
UPS Store and FedEx Office provide fax services alongside shipping operations.
- Cost: $1-$2 per page for domestic, higher for international
- Availability: Store hours only
- Service: Counter-based with staff assistance
- Locations: Widely available in most areas
4. Public Libraries
Many libraries offer affordable fax services, though availability varies by location.
- Cost: $0.10-$0.50 per page (typically local only)
- Limitations: Often restricted to local numbers
- Hours: Library operating hours
- Availability: Not all branches offer fax services
5. Print and Copy Shops
Local print shops often provide fax services at competitive rates.
- Cost: $1.00-$2.00 per page
- Availability: Varies by location
- Service: Usually counter-based
- Hours: Business hours only
Why Online Fax Beats Office Depot for Most Users
While Office Depot provides a functional fax service, the limitations become clear when you compare the total experience:
Office Depot’s Hidden Costs:
- Travel time and gas money for each fax
- Limited to business hours (typically 9 AM – 7 PM)
- Expensive international rates ($7.99+ per page)
- Public machines with privacy concerns
- No guarantee the machine will be working when you arrive
PayPerFax Eliminates These Problems:
- Send from anywhere, anytime – your home, office, or mobile device
- Flat pricing: just $2.00 for your first three pages regardless of destination
- SSL encrypted transmission keeps your documents private
- Only pay for successful delivery – no charges for failed attempts
| Feature | Office Depot | PayPerFax |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Store hours only | 24/7 access |
| Travel Required | Must visit store | Send from anywhere |
| 3-Page Local Fax | $4.07 | $2.00 |
| 3-Page International | $15.97 | $2.00 |
| Privacy | Public machines | Private transmission |
| Failed Fax Charges | Still charged | No charge for failures |
Real Example: A 5-page international fax costs $23.95 at Office Depot versus $3.50 with PayPerFax – saving you over $20 while avoiding the trip to the store.
How to Send a Fax at Office Depot
If you decide to use Office Depot’s fax service, here’s the step-by-step process:
Before You Go
- Call your local Office Depot to confirm their fax machine is working
- Organize your documents in order with any cover sheet on top
- Have the recipient’s complete fax number ready (including area code)
At the Store
- Locate the Copy & Print Center – Usually near the back of the store
- Load your documents into the fax machine face-down in the document feeder
- Enter the fax number on the machine’s keypad
- Press send and wait for the transmission to complete
- Collect your confirmation receipt showing successful delivery
- Pay at the service counter using your receipt
What to Expect
- Staff assistance is available if you need help operating the machine
- Transmission typically takes 1-2 minutes per page
- You’ll receive a printed confirmation showing delivery status
Time-Saver Tip: Skip the store visit entirely. Send your fax online with PayPerFax in under 3 minutes from your computer or phone – available 24/7.
Finding Office Depot Fax Locations
Not all Office Depot locations offer fax services. Use these methods to find participating stores:
Office Depot Store Locator:
- Visit officedepot.com and click “Store Locator”
- Enter your zip code or city
- Filter results for “Faxing Services”
- Call ahead to verify the machine is operational
What to Ask When Calling:
- Do you offer fax services?
- Are your fax machines currently working?
- What are your Copy & Print Center hours?
Most Office Depot locations with fax services operate during regular store hours, but Copy & Print Center hours may differ from main store hours.
Office Depot vs Online Fax: Security & Privacy
Security is an important consideration when choosing between Office Depot and online fax services.
Office Depot Security:
- Documents are handled in public spaces
- Staff may need to assist with machine operation
- Physical documents can be left behind or seen by others
- Basic phone line transmission security
Online Fax Security:
- SSL encrypted transmission from device to recipient
- Private sending from your home or office
- No physical handling by third parties
- Digital delivery confirmations with timestamps
For sensitive documents like medical records, legal contracts, or financial information, online fax services provide superior privacy protection compared to public fax machines.
How to Send a Fax Online
Sending a fax online takes under three minutes:
- Upload your document to the online form (supports PDF, DOCX, DOC, JPG)
- Enter recipient’s fax number with country/area code
- Complete secure payment and click send
You’ll receive email confirmation once the fax transmits successfully. No travel, waiting, or store hours to worry about.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I receive faxes at Office Depot?
Most Office Depot locations do not offer fax receiving services for customers. You can only send faxes, not receive them at their stores.
What if my fax fails at Office Depot?
You’ll need to troubleshoot with store staff and potentially try resending. You’re typically charged even for failed attempts, unlike online services that only charge for successful delivery.
Do I need to bring cash to Office Depot?
No, Office Depot accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash for fax services. Payment is processed at the service counter after faxing.
Can I fax multiple documents to different recipients?
Yes, but you’ll need to send each fax separately and pay for each transmission individually.
What’s the maximum pages I can fax at Office Depot?
There’s no official limit, but large documents become expensive quickly due to per-page pricing.
Choose the Right Fax Solution for Your Needs
While Office Depot offers reliable in-store fax services, online alternatives provide superior convenience, cost savings, and availability. Consider your specific needs:
Choose Office Depot if:
- You only fax occasionally (1-2 pages locally)
- You prefer face-to-face assistance
- You don’t mind traveling to the store
Choose PayPerFax if:
- You need 24/7 availability
- You send multi-page or international faxes
- Privacy and security are priorities
- You want to avoid travel and store hours
- You prefer paying only for successful delivery
The bottom line: While Office Depot works for occasional local faxes, PayPerFax offers better value, convenience, and reliability for most faxing needs.
Ready to skip the store visit? Send your fax online with PayPerFax – no subscription required, just pay for what you send.