Just the Fax, Please

I was in Office Max recently, and noticed a sign announcing:

"Local fax: $1.25 per page"
"Long distance fax: $1.75"

I wondered, why the cost was so high. Paper is cheap and the fax is sent for the price of a telephone call. Likewise, I'm sure that Office Max has unlimited local and long distance calling (and paper).

Shortly thereafter, a man wanted to fax some tax papers. He looked surprised when the clerk told him the price per page. Nonetheless, he handed over the small stack of papers.

"Let me estimate the cost for you," she said. She quickly calculated the cost for faxing 13 one-sided copies: $17.25.

Stunned into silence, the man gathered his papers and left without a word.

I remember when it was de rigueur to have a fax machine at home. However, with the advent of e-mails and attachments, fax machines became obsolete. Most are primarily in copy shops.

I'm not sure where the customer will go to get his documents faxed. On the job, perhaps?

But he seemed to agree that paying close to $20.00 for faxing was too much.

Have you had similar experiences with what seems like over-pricing? Leave your comments.