Lux Investing - Fax machine or multi use printer

Fax machine or multi use printer < what should I buy ?

Hi, I do these merchandising jobs and they keep wanting me to fax stuff to them and it costs like $1 a page at Staples. Since I'm doing more and more of this at narms.com Do you think I should buy what my friend suggested, a multi use printer that faxes and much more ? OR ///// ??????? fixed income, but willing to invest

Public Comments

I would recommend using a multi-use printer. It saves you the desktop space as oppose to having 2 equipments. Plus, you only need to worry about replacing the ink cartridge for both as they use the same type. BUT, if what you're faxing is a document that is usually stored electronically on your PC, then getting a fax software such as WinFax would be a more cost-efficient solution.
i have a multi use machine and love it
The multi use is your best bet. If you can afford it it's worth the investment. Some come with a disk that if installed on your pc you can fax directly from the pc as long as it is turned on so you don't have to waste the paper. You can even print the address on the envelope to look more proffesional, if you have to mail out anything.
Multi-use printers are good, but ... all your eggs go into one basket. A problem with one is usually a problem with all of them. That said, I know a lot of people who are very happy with them. You don't mention your operating system, but most recent ones have a fax capability; have you looked into that? Just a thought. If I was tight on money and couldn't use a software fax, I'd probably opt for an all in one as you are looking at. Epson and HP are both good, Epson being better with support, IMO.
Well, if all you need to do is fax, why would you invest in something extra? As a matter of fact, depending on what you need to fax, you may not need a fax machine at all. If what you want to fax is already on your PC, you can use an online fax service. There's tons of them around ... I can't reccomend one because it's been so long since I needed one. Or if you have Windows XP, you can fax straight from your computer. Here's a link that tells you how to do it: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306550 Or ... you can get a plain, old fashioned fax machine. We have one around here we don't use that's got to be over 15 years old. The faxes it receives aren't too hot, because it takes that old-style heat sensitive paper, but it sends just fine. Look around on eBay, and don't pay much more than $10 for shipping. Actually you shouldn't have to pay much more than $10 total if you shop around for the best deal. Sure, having an all-in-one would save on counter space and look nicer, but it costs a lot more and you said you were on a fixed income. If all you need to do is fax then that's all you should pay for.