Need a deal on a fax machine, not as easy as you think!

[Joemonkey]

We have been using a Brother 4100 fax machine since March, and it has worked fine. All of a sudden a lawyer starts freaking out about how it does not print a timestamp on incoming faxes. I figure it isn't a big deal, we have a report that prints out every 50 faxes that shows when they were received. This isn't good enough for said lawyer.

 

So, since "prints timestamp on incoming faxes" isn't exactly an advertised feature, I really don't know how to begin looking. Budget is under $500, plain paper, doesn't have to connect to the network or anything just FAX, and they would prefer it to have 2 paper trays.

[mugs]

Have you checked to see if that's a setting you can turn on and off?

[stingygrrl]

I have a 5 yr FAR one that let's you turn it on and off. RTFM!?? (couldn't resist) :D

[RossMAN]

Have you checked to see if that's a setting you can turn on and off?

Agreed.

 

http://pub.brother.com/pub/com/faxzledoc/ZleFAXUS_UG_0.pdf

[Joemonkey]

oh come on, do you REALLY think I am that dense? There is nothing in the manual, and I emailed Brother as well, here is their response:

 

Brother Customer:

 

Thank you for taking the time to write to us. In reference to your

question: Faxes sent should have a name, fax number and telephone number printed on the electronic Cover Page and as the header of every page.

The receiving fax machine can not print the station ID information on

incoming faxes.

 

 

If you have any further questions or concerns please let us know.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Facsimile E-mail Support

Brother International Corporation, USA

[email protected]

[mrn8]

I know you said that they want 2 paper trays. How much incoming / outgoing usage does the machine get?

[Joemonkey]

Two paper trays, one for 8.5x11 and one for legal size. The current machine has a choice to either shrink down legal to 8.5x11 or to tell it there is legal in the bottom tray and print it full size there.

 

and to fully answer your question, i have no idea how much usage the machine gets, i never fax anything nor do i receive faxes.

[mrn8]

Do they have a laserjet or inkjet preference? If they can go laser, they will save on the ink costs over time, but have a bit pricier up-front cost.

[RossMAN]

Do they have a laserjet or inkjet preference? If they can go laser, they will save on the ink costs over time, but have a bit pricier up-front cost.

Personally I would choose laser mainly because text is sharper, clearer and doesn't smudge as easily.

[Joemonkey]

Laser for sure, our current brother fax machine also uses the same toner as one of the printers we have, so that is always nice. I'm happy with brother, I just don't know if any of their other fax machines do the timestamp on incoming faxes.

[mrn8]

Edited:

 

Nevermind...thought I saw in the manual that it prints the time, but that's on outgoing faxes.

[Joemonkey]

so now you guys think I faked that email from Brother huh??? I see how it is!!

[i-bystander]

We have a Canon LaserClass 9000L, and it prints requested information on the footer. That said, it's a little out of your budget when I searched, but perhaps you can find a good deal on it...

[Joemonkey]

thanks i-bystander! I suppose what I need first is a list of faxes that are known to 100% do this, then start looking for a deal.

[i-bystander]

thanks i-bystander! I suppose what I need first is a list of faxes that are known to 100% do this, then start looking for a deal.

You're welcome, and that's exactly what you need to do. I suppose you can start by narrowing it down to your budget first ($500), then by type (laser), then by features (timestamp). I don't have a lot of time right now, so that's the best I can do; otherwise, I'd try and come up with that list for you. :)

[RossMAN]

Listing of 130 laser fax machines

[i-bystander]

Listing of 130 laser fax machines

Can you break it down by price too? :)

[RossMAN]

Can you break it down by price too? :)

After a few anything is possible.

[Joemonkey]

Here is the $310 - $550 price range, but unfortunately there is no "sort by the ability to print a timestamp on incoming faxes option" :)

 

I know for sure the Brother 4100, 4570e, and 5750e do NOT do this, and the Canon 9000L does do this. Other than that I suppose I need to find a few then download their manuals in PDF and check that way... hooray!

[Scott]

What about setting up a computer and going paperless?

 

Just a thought.

 

I haven't used enough fax machines to know specific models, but I will sure see if I can find anything.

[Joemonkey]

haha, YOU come in here and tell the 70 year old lawyers "we're going paperless"

 

And I did have a laptop with an inkjet hooked up after our old fax machine went down and we were waiting on the replacement...

[jamesave]

What about setting up a computer and going paperless?

 

Just a thought.

 

I haven't used enough fax machines to know specific models, but I will sure see if I can find anything.

WINFAX Pro.

 

good suggestion, scott!

[i-bystander]

haha, YOU come in here and tell the 70 year old lawyers "we're going paperless"

He he he - I was just going to say something to that effect.

[Joemonkey]

Well it looks like Brother is out entirely as a choice, I emailed them again and got this response:

 

Brother Customer:

 

No, Brother machines are not capable of printing a timestamp on the

faxes that are received.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Facsimile E-mail Support

Brother International Corporation, USA

[email protected]

[Scott]

Why are they so interested in a timestamp on every page anyway? I don't see why the report isn't enough. I would think they would be more interested in a report of the stuff they "send."

 

But I digress. I wasn't able to find anything that did what you wanted directly. You are right... it just isn't a feature that is listed. I don't guess there is a high demand for it.

[i-bystander]

Why are they so interested in a timestamp on every page anyway? I don't see why the report isn't enough. I would think they would be more interested in a report of the stuff they "send."

They're lawyers... we all know how anal they can be.

[Scott]

They're lawyers... we all know how anal they can be.

Just wait until another lawyer gets ahold of it.

 

"So, since you are saying this is an official timestamp, can you verify the last time your fax machine time was calibrated by an ISO 9001 acredited agency?"

 

"I'm sorry, we just set it to the local time."

 

"So are you saying then that this could be the incorrect time?"

 

"Yes, but not by that much."

 

"So even if it is not off by much, is it still an incorrect time?"

 

Or even something like:

 

"Sir, please take a look at this document. Is this the original document that was received in your office?"

 

"Yes"

 

"Thank you, no further questions"

 

next witness

 

"Maam, do you remember faxing a document to insert lawfirm name here on January 01, 2005?"

 

"Yes"

 

"Please look at this document closely. Is this the document that you sent?"

 

"Well, it is close. There is an extra date and time at the bottom that wasn't on the document that I sent."

 

"So, are you saying that insert lawfirm name here modified the document after it was faxed from your office?"

 

"It would appear so."

 

"Thank you, no further questions."

 

Or something like that. :)

 

Can you tell I work for a a company that is ISO9001, 14001 and 17025?

 

Our clocks actually sync daily to a radio signal that is tuned to an atomic clock. All of our computers sync their time and date at every logon.

 

Just another reason why a paperless system would be even better. Then, that timestamp would be "legally defensible."

 

Ok... enough from me.

[Joemonkey]

thanks, i got a good laugh out of that!