How Much Does it Cost to Use Mobile Fax Service?

[REA864]

Like others have mentioned, it's way too vague for me. I only looked at this option today and it looked like what I needed but without a clear understanding of the cost I'll pass. There is no need for me to sign up for a trial only to discover the cost is prohibitive for someone that may send 5 faxes a year. 

[travlnvixen · Accepted solution]

If you are considering signing up for an online fax service, it might be helpful to know that HP makes two series of all-in-one printer/ scanners that are set up to link users directly to an eFax account.

HP offers this with several printers: four models in the Envy All-In-One series, and four models in the Photosmart All-In-One series. Both printer series offer printing, copying, scanning, and of course, faxing. The models range in price from $99 to $225.

eFax is an online fax service offered by j2 Global Communications, Inc., not by HP – but you can register for eFax from the product control panel of these eight models of HP printers. When you do, you get a free 20 incoming or 20 outgoing fax pages per month.

To get faxing capability beyond that, you can sign up for an eFax plan. The provider offers two plans, Plus and Pro. Plus includes 150 inbound and 150 outbound pages per month for $16.95 per month, or $14.13 with the annual discount. The Pro plan includes 200 inbound and 200 outbound pages each month for $19.95 per month, or $16.63 with the annual plan.

It is possible to log in to eFax and send the 20 free ingoing and outbound faxes that come as part of the HP printer; however, most users seem to prefer doing it from the printer. It is worth noting that some customers have had trouble with eFax charging them for an upgrade when they were only using the free version through HP. Based on user forums, HP worked with customers to resolve the issue.

The service works through a wireless network, so to get started you must have a wireless Internet connection. You then enable Web Services and ePrint on the printer touchscreen, a process that varies between different models. Once the printer connects with the eFax server, your assigned eFax number appears on the screen. It then connects you with an eFax home screen, from which you can send faxes. If you already have an eFax account, you can also link that to the printer.

It is possible to set up email notifications about incoming faxes; to do so, you need to use the printer’s control panel to set up a network configuration.

HP also offers a video detailing the setup.

[pbhtx57]

Thank you very much!!

[Rednorsk]

THANK YOU for ALL  that detailed information!!! I appreciate it immensely! Looks like you took it upon yourself to really dive in and search the web for that info, correct? I can't thank you enough for digging for that info and posting it here!

It's not super often that I have a need to fax. So investing in another printer with fax capability built-in and/or a monthly subscription plan for a higher volume faxing is not something I need. I was originally just searching for price (and policy!) for occasional faxing via the HP Smart app using my existing printer or my mobile phone. But it's GREAT to have the info you gave in case I ever did need to fax more, or if someone I know needs the ability to fax at that volume, especially from home/home office. Once more... THANK YOU!!  👍👍👍

[ShlomiL]

To clarify @travlnvixen, HP has offered such a service with eFax, in collaboration with j2 Global Communications in the past, for much older models, this feature has been retired and no longer offered by HP for some years:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03102078

While these price ranges are offered by j2 Global Communications for eFax, this has nothing to do with the new HP Mobile Fax feature, a feature offered directly by HP to allow sending a fax from the HP Smart app, this has no relation to the printer hardware in any way and only meant to allow sending faxes, the price range of eFax is not affiliated with HP Mobile Fax in any way...

Generally, as I can see in the app, a trial is offered till 4/30/2020, so I can only assume that any prices will become available till this timeframe, as of now the service is offered with no fees as a trial.

And generally, as clearly listed by the terms of service, any prices information will be provided till the end of the trial period, any payment information will only be required then, with your confirmation for the price:

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Prior tothe Free Fax Service Trial period expiring, You will be given an opportunity to enroll in a Service Plan and be asked to provide credit card information. HP will charge your credit card for Your Service Plan. You will receive notice of Your enrollment into a Service Plan at the email addressand/or telephone number listed in your Settings page in your FaxService Account. You can always go to Your Dashboardto change or cancel the Service Plan.

If You do not choose a Service Plan by the end of the Free Fax Service Trial period, Your Fax Service will terminate.

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https://hpmobilefax-tos.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/SEND+Fax+Terms+EN.pdf

Regards,

Shlomi

[Rednorsk]

Yes, I am aware. The info provided by poster was clear. It's not connected to the HP Smart app or HP Mobile Fax Service. Poster merely presented some alternatives—WITH PRICE STRUCTURE AND POLICY—that could possibly be accessed with an HP printer. That's exponentially more info than HP has provided on the app, on the website, in these "support" pages, and by direct contact. I stand by my immense appreciation for the effort and info shared. Had any HP employee responded to my question OR responded to any of my requests for clarification... we would not be discussing this matter HERE.

I am the original poster of the question "How Much Does It Cost to Use Mobile Fax Service" via the HP Smart app. It's not a complicated question. There is ZERO *clear information* about the HP Mobile Fax service offered on the HP Smart app. ZERO. I have searched inside and outside of HP's pages for an an answer to that question AND contacted HP directly. There is still no info about (a) how long does the trial period last, (b) WHAT IS THE COST *AFTER* THE TRIAL PERIOD ENDS, (c) what are the terms and conditions.

Considering that essential info IS clear and present in other service like the HP Instant Ink service (trial period and all!) I (and others) find it baffling that HP would not make the same info available for the Mobile Fax service.

Again, it's not a complicated question. I'm not in the habit of signing up for any service—and providing my credit card—without clearly defined parameters and pricing UP FRONT. I don't care if it's for $1 or $100. Not going to do it. HP's lack of transparency and lack of response to this question is a bad look. I'm definitely done looking for an answer to this question.