Marco's Pizza - gotta laugh!

[Graspher]

Trailwinds Village / 466-A

That's been our go to place for emergency pizza since they opened. Been a month since we were last there.

Called 4 days ago. For the first time ever - AI/Computer answered the phone. I was a bit stunned but ok - I'm down with new tech. Having dealt with these types of intersections before I knew to speak clearly and succinctly.

I answered some basic questions that were asked - then it asked for my order.

Me = "Medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage".

AI = Medium cheese pizza?

Me = "No - medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage."

AI = Medium cheese pizza with no toppings?

Me = "Cancel the order"

AI = Is that for delivery or pickup?

At this point I was hitting 0 to try and get a person. That didn't work. Then I spoke into the receiver and said "human". That got me to a person who took my order.

At the pickup counter I told the manager along with other employees standing nearby - your new phone ordering service is a nightmare. If you continue with that new system I will discontinue my patronage. The manager's response was..."other customers have made similar comments."

At the time - it was an irritating event. Now, I'm laughing over it. Very foolish of a high volume business that specializes in take-out orders to incorporate a system that can't even decipher a simple short sentence. And - it never presented an option for me to talk to a real person. I had to guess my way to a human.

I get the need for a system like that as it will save a ton of employee time on the phone and maybe quicken the order processing. However...beta testing on live customers isn't the way to get there.

I don't know if things have changed over the past 4 days but the take away for those caught up in the above is....say "human."

And so it will be...

[Babubhat]

Why would anyone call? Use the app or website

[EdFNJ]

Why would anyone call? Use the app or website True dat :D But a funny story though. I find using a few choice profanities on the stupid automated attendants gets a human as well and drains off some of the frustration. Most online "support" chat bots do the same thing.

[Graspher]

Why would anyone call? Use the app or website

That's the one area where I'm still old school...

[thevillages2013]

That's the one area where I'm still old school...

You going to order on the app next time?:popcorn:

[Stu from NYC]

Companies can lose money to save money

[Keefelane66]

Tried there pizza once, never going back

[Boilerman]

I’ve used the website to order several times for delivery. Very straightforward, took about 60 seconds once my address and credit card saved.

I like their pizza and every time they have delivered, the pizza had to cool off a bit before we could eat it. I’ve NEVER had that before with pizza delivery.

[Topspinmo]

You think that bad try getting the internet service on phone that starts with C.. no the other one.

I just go in, order, and wait on it when I’m desperate for pizza..really desperate……. REALLY desperate. And I’m usually disappointed…. Where ever I go? :ohdear:

[Topspinmo]

Tried there pizza once, never going back

I’ve tried most of them in area, haven’t found one worth going back yet.:ohdear:

[keepsake]

For me I called and got a person whose accent was illegible. You know what I mean. No order.
I hate phone apps. They track you. Period.

[EdFNJ]

For me I called and got a person whose accent was illegible. You know what I mean. No order.
I hate phone apps. They track you. Period. Don't really know what you mean because an accent can't be "illegible" unless s/he hand wrote you a note in his accent. :1rotfl: Maybe you meant "unintelligible" ?

Do you use a credit card? They track you even more. They make millions selling purchase histories. They know what you buy and where you shop and what you eat.

Credit card companies are tracking and sharing your data like never before (https://www.fastcompany.com/90490923/credit-card-companies-are-tracking-shoppers-like-never-before-inside-the-next-phase-of-surveillance-capitalism)

How credit card companies track you - Marketplace (https://www.marketplace.org/2009/05/15/how-credit-card-companies-track-you/)

Why Don’t We Have More Privacy When We Use A Credit Card? | American Civil Liberties Union (https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/consumer-privacy/why-dont-we-have-more-privacy-when-we-use-credit-card)

[jimbomaybe]

Trailwinds Village / 466-A

That's been our go to place for emergency pizza since they opened. Been a month since we were last there.

Called 4 days ago. For the first time ever - AI/Computer answered the phone. I was a bit stunned but ok - I'm down with new tech. Having dealt with these types of intersections before I knew to speak clearly and succinctly.

I answered some basic questions that were asked - then it asked for my order.

Me = "Medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage".

AI = Medium cheese pizza?

Me = "No - medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage."

AI = Medium cheese pizza with no toppings?

Me = "Cancel the order"

AI = Is that for delivery or pickup?

At this point I was hitting 0 to try and get a person. That didn't work. Then I spoke into the receiver and said "human". That got me to a person who took my order.

At the pickup counter I told the manager along with other employees standing nearby - your new phone ordering service is a nightmare. If you continue with that new system I will discontinue my patronage. The manager's response was..."other customers have made similar comments."

At the time - it was an irritating event. Now, I'm laughing over it. Very foolish of a high volume business that specializes in take-out orders to incorporate a system that can't even decipher a simple short sentence. And - it never presented an option for me to talk to a real person. I had to guess my way to a human.

I get the need for a system like that as it will save a ton of employee time on the phone and maybe quicken the order processing. However...beta testing on live customers isn't the way to get there.

I don't know if things have changed over the past 4 days but the take away for those caught up in the above is....say "human."

And so it will be...

Perhaps it is unwise to tempt the silicon gods that rule our lives by disrespecting one of the minions you may find your phone, PC , TV acting strangely, problems with you credit card , it never sleeps, never forgets , is always a presence

[Robbb]

You have to go with their thin crust peperoni and the Greek salad.

[Happinow]

Why would anyone call? Use the app or website

Because some still want to pay cash. On line ordering requires a CC.

[Michael G.]

I had another experience with Marco's Pizza.
The animated voice wasn't repeating what I ordered, so before I hung up, I howled:
"Eat my shorts" :grumpy:
And it replied back: "I do not understand." :22yikes:

[Gpsma]

The onlypeople who pay cash are drug dealers, illegal immigrants and old folks from TV who worry about their credit cards

[retiredguy123]

Because some still want to pay cash. On line ordering requires a CC.
Not true. You can order online and pay cash.

[Graspher]

You going to order on the app next time?:popcorn:

No, never. Besides being old school... I also never charge meals - ever - be it online or in person. Just my one and only quirk.....

[Graspher]

The onlypeople who pay cash are drug dealers, illegal immigrants and old folks from TV who worry about their credit cards

...and one other who doesn't fall into any of the above categories - me.

[retiredguy123]

No, never. Besides being old school... I also never charge meals - ever - be it online or in person. Just my one and only quirk.....
Am I missing something? I went on the website ordered a pizza for pick up, and was given the option to pay cash or to use a credit card. Why do you think you need to charge the meal?

[Graspher]

Am I missing something? I went on the website ordered a pizza for pick up, and was given the option to pay cash or to use a credit card. Why do you think you need to charge the meal?

I never think I need to charge because I never charge. Before one has an option of paying by cash/credit - one must order. I only order in person or over the phone with a human.

[Rwirish]

Their app is not very good.

[retiredguy123]

I never think I need to charge because I never charge. Before one has an option of paying by cash/credit - one must order. I only order in person or over the phone with a human.
You need to start the order and make your food selections before your select the payment method, cash or credit. But, the order is not completed and you are not obligated to buy anything until you decide how to pay. That is pretty typical for most online ordering for just about any restaurant. There is no requirement to use a credit card.

[thevillages2013]

Not true. You can order online and pay cash.

Absolutely, I pay cash every time and put the tip in their little box by the register after ordering through the app. Pizza has always been good for a fair price. I usually just make mine at home though pizza crust and all.

[Luggage]

Every restaurant and business is now trying to save money. Well over 10 years ago we went to France and the McDonald's there had a digital ordering board. Wawa had digital ordering for this sub sandwiches also 10 years ago. It's actually a lot easier because most people when they take the orders mess up. Virtually every credit card company and most businesses use AI to distribute your phone call to the correct person with the knowledge to help you. My pharmacy takes refills with AI systems. That's artificial intelligence I can understand the number when you speak into the phone. Personally I prefer not talking to people as much as possible and only do it when there's a real problem. However I do hate American Express and serve since they refuse to give you a live person until you push about 10 buttons I've actually canceled my serve card because of this they simply don't care about the person that they are serving! While you're at it think of this that there are more and more self-serve checkout counters at supermarkets saving the corporations from hiring tens of people per store and hoping to keep the price down. In 5 or 10 years we are going to have drones delivering things to our doors , less and less real truck drivers driving those 40 ft trucks to two artificial intelligence and self-driving vehicles. We already have trains where the engineers don't actually touch anything and just there for safety purposes. Remember when you actually had telephone operators who had to connect the call for you?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Telling the manager about it is useless. This kind of decision is made at the corporate level and they very seldom will welcome input from those on the front lines. The manager is probably more frustrated about it than you are.

[Edzo49]

Best method for having great pizza anywhere: buy pizza dough from WALMART. Buy any 4-6 blend cheese from Publix or X. Roll out dough place on cast iron flat pan. Pan should have light application of corn meal so dough won’t stick. Apply cheese, add thin sliced Roma tomatoes and what ever other topping you like. Place in gas grill after pre-heating to 700 degrees. (I find if you start your grill and then turn off all burners and relight the temp should go close to 700). Before placing pizza in grill I apply a light stream of good olive oil around edges. I know some will say Olive Oil will burn at 400 but …trust me. And I will add some Asiago cheese to top with fresh ground pepper. Usually cooks in about 3-4 minutes. If top is cooked and bottom is not then open top of grill and continuing to cook and check bottom until cooked to your liking. The whole process takes less than 20 minutes from start to enjoyment. Good luck! If any left over toast in toaster oven for 2-3 minutes!

[MSGirl]

Trailwinds Village / 466-A

That's been our go to place for emergency pizza since they opened. Been a month since we were last there.

Called 4 days ago. For the first time ever - AI/Computer answered the phone. I was a bit stunned but ok - I'm down with new tech. Having dealt with these types of intersections before I knew to speak clearly and succinctly.

I answered some basic questions that were asked - then it asked for my order.

Me = "Medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage".

AI = Medium cheese pizza?

Me = "No - medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage."

AI = Medium cheese pizza with no toppings?

Me = "Cancel the order"

AI = Is that for delivery or pickup?

At this point I was hitting 0 to try and get a person. That didn't work. Then I spoke into the receiver and said "human". That got me to a person who took my order.

At the pickup counter I told the manager along with other employees standing nearby - your new phone ordering service is a nightmare. If you continue with that new system I will discontinue my patronage. The manager's response was..."other customers have made similar comments."

At the time - it was an irritating event. Now, I'm laughing over it. Very foolish of a high volume business that specializes in take-out orders to incorporate a system that can't even decipher a simple short sentence. And - it never presented an option for me to talk to a real person. I had to guess my way to a human.

I get the need for a system like that as it will save a ton of employee time on the phone and maybe quicken the order processing. However...beta testing on live customers isn't the way to get there.

I don't know if things have changed over the past 4 days but the take away for those caught up in the above is....say "human."

And so it will be...
I order on the app. Easy peazy!

[Timothyimitchell]

companies can lose money to save money

this

[MidWestIA]

like the restroom faucets that don't work

[jimlambert]

Because some still want to pay cash. On line ordering requires a CC.
Not if you select to pay when you pick up the order.

[Boilerman]

I never think I need to charge because I never charge. Before one has an option of paying by cash/credit - one must order. I only order in person or over the phone with a human.

I ordered a pizza once from Mezza Luna while riding in the car. The person taking the call misunderstood my order so I repeated it. He said “GOT IT” in an annoyed voice and said “anything else?”

Of course they got the order wrong and then insisted I placed it wrong. I guess he thought I was trying to scam him into a free pizza. I was in the car with two others who heard the whole encounter, in fact we joked about whether we would get the right pizza before we picked it up. I just paid for the order and left.

I’ll take ordering pizza over an app or website anytime over trusting a human.

[MandoMan]

This week I tried Sammy’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria on 301. I’d heard it was good. I ordered a large pepperoni pizza. I’m used to eating pizza in New York City and New Jersey, and I hadn’t found any pizza near The Villages that I considered more than mediocre or edible. Sammy is from Brooklyn, and his pizza is the real thing. Would it win a Best Pizza in NYC award? No. Would it be considered decent average New York style pizza if you were in New York? Yes. Definitely. That makes it by far the best pizza in the area of The Villages. That’s the only place I’ll be buying pizza from now on. Also, on Thursdays a large cheese pizza is $10 instead of $13. Other toppings extra, of course. It’s a bit hard to spot the place on the west side of 301, as the little mall has lots of big trees in front. Pay attention and you’ll spot their green sign under the trees. (Do they sell by the slice? No, you can’t buy a slice. This isn’t NYC. Buy an entire pie and have the leftovers for breakfast, hot or cold.)

[Stu from NYC]

This week I tried Sammy’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria on 301. I’d heard it was good. I ordered a large pepperoni pizza. I’m used to eating pizza in New York City and New Jersey, and I hadn’t found any pizza near The Villages that I considered more than mediocre or edible. Sammy is from Brooklyn, and his pizza is the real thing. Would it win a Best Pizza in NYC award? No. Would it be considered decent average New York style pizza if you were in New York? Yes. Definitely. That makes it by far the best pizza in the area of The Villages. That’s the only place I’ll be buying pizza from now on. Also, on Thursdays a large cheese pizza is $10 instead of $13. Other toppings extra, of course. It’s a bit hard to spot the place on the west side of 301, as the little mall has lots of big trees in front. Pay attention and you’ll spot their green sign under the trees. (Do they sell by the slice? No, you can’t buy a slice. This isn’t NYC. Buy an entire pie and have the leftovers for breakfast, hot or cold.)

It is one of the best pizza places here, Francisco more or less across the street also makes a good one.

[retiredguy123]

It is one of the best pizza places here, Francisco more or less across the street also makes a good one.
Do you mean Napolino's?

[jrandall]

Trailwinds Village / 466-A

That's been our go to place for emergency pizza since they opened. Been a month since we were last there.

Called 4 days ago. For the first time ever - AI/Computer answered the phone. I was a bit stunned but ok - I'm down with new tech. Having dealt with these types of intersections before I knew to speak clearly and succinctly.

I answered some basic questions that were asked - then it asked for my order.

Me = "Medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage".

AI = Medium cheese pizza?

Me = "No - medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage."

AI = Medium cheese pizza with no toppings?

Me = "Cancel the order"

AI = Is that for delivery or pickup?

At this point I was hitting 0 to try and get a person. That didn't work. Then I spoke into the receiver and said "human". That got me to a person who took my order.

At the pickup counter I told the manager along with other employees standing nearby - your new phone ordering service is a nightmare. If you continue with that new system I will discontinue my patronage. The manager's response was..."other customers have made similar comments."

At the time - it was an irritating event. Now, I'm laughing over it. Very foolish of a high volume business that specializes in take-out orders to incorporate a system that can't even decipher a simple short sentence. And - it never presented an option for me to talk to a real person. I had to guess my way to a human.

I get the need for a system like that as it will save a ton of employee time on the phone and maybe quicken the order processing. However...beta testing on live customers isn't the way to get there.

I don't know if things have changed over the past 4 days but the take away for those caught up in the above is....say "human."

And so it will be...

I love Marco’s pizza. I order online from the website. It works great. Once you place the order you can track the status of the pizza including the driver on a map as they are driving to your location. Good alternative to calling in.

[EdFNJ]

Not true. You can order online and pay cash. True for Marcos but not for the majority of other large restaurant chains.

[thevillages2013]

No, never. Besides being old school... I also never charge meals - ever - be it online or in person. Just my one and only quirk.....

You are a stubborn sort but you stick to your guns. I respect that:coolsmiley:

[Ken Nelson]

Been here a month and haven't seen a great pizza yet.....margarita and flatbread yes, but not a real pizza....Sammys sounds good...may have to try that....any other pizza places near Hawkins?

[retiredguy123]

Been here a month and haven't seen a great pizza yet.....margarita and flatbread yes, but not a real pizza....Sammys sounds good...may have to try that....any other pizza places near Hawkins?
Piesano's in the Lake Deaton shopping center. I like the ultra thin crust.

[DonnaNi4os]

Trailwinds Village / 466-A

That's been our go to place for emergency pizza since they opened. Been a month since we were last there.

Called 4 days ago. For the first time ever - AI/Computer answered the phone. I was a bit stunned but ok - I'm down with new tech. Having dealt with these types of intersections before I knew to speak clearly and succinctly.

I answered some basic questions that were asked - then it asked for my order.

Me = "Medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage".

AI = Medium cheese pizza?

Me = "No - medium thin crust pizza with pepperoni and sausage."

AI = Medium cheese pizza with no toppings?

Me = "Cancel the order"

AI = Is that for delivery or pickup?

At this point I was hitting 0 to try and get a person. That didn't work. Then I spoke into the receiver and said "human". That got me to a person who took my order.

At the pickup counter I told the manager along with other employees standing nearby - your new phone ordering service is a nightmare. If you continue with that new system I will discontinue my patronage. The manager's response was..."other customers have made similar comments."

At the time - it was an irritating event. Now, I'm laughing over it. Very foolish of a high volume business that specializes in take-out orders to incorporate a system that can't even decipher a simple short sentence. And - it never presented an option for me to talk to a real person. I had to guess my way to a human.

I get the need for a system like that as it will save a ton of employee time on the phone and maybe quicken the order processing. However...beta testing on live customers isn't the way to get there.

I don't know if things have changed over the past 4 days but the take away for those caught up in the above is....say "human."

And so it will be...

It’s the way of the world. Customer service is becoming a thing of the past. Have you tried ordering online? It’s likely less irritating. Incidentally, how is their pizza. I’m from NJ and haven’t found a good pizza yet.

[conjor]

Tried there pizza once, never going back

me either

[Topspinmo]

The onlypeople who pay cash are drug dealers, illegal immigrants and old folks from TV who worry about their credit cards


Only DS give out their credit card and bank card to minimum paid workers and let them go behind closed area.

[Graspher]

You are a stubborn sort but you stick to your guns. I respect that:coolsmiley:

Hehehe....thank you my good person!

[Graspher]

Piesano's in the Lake Deaton shopping center. I like the ultra thin crust.

This thread wasn't intended to discuss best pizza's in TV. Since a few have touched on that topic I'll add my pound of low moisture whole milk mozzarella.

Being a pizza freak and after almost 3 years in TV (getting pizza from a large number of local providers the whole time) Piesanos stone fired pizza in Lake Deaton - in my opinion - is the best tasting pizza in TV. Caveat - the last time I slopped up a pie from there was almost a year ago and service/quality may have changed since then. That location was crowded almost all of the time cause they were the only game in town when they opened. For us, that meant we had to carryout and that's a 30 minute car drive to our dinner table. 30 minutes in a box does diminish the pizza.

When the plague broke out we decided to do a deep dive into making a pie at home. It took us several months to perfect. We scratch the dough and sauce and cook it on a 1/4 steel plate that's been heated in the oven at 550 for an hour. For us - the absolute best pizza ever. The only tweak that would place it on the top shelf with nothing near it - is finding the real deal top quality cup and char pepperoni. Yes, I have amazoned a few different cup/chars but none turned out to be very good. At this point I've decided to forgo the cup/char and stick with traditional pep. My TV pizza void is now filled. If only I could say the same about a TV based chinese restaurant.

Ok...if I may - I've been to a whole bunch of locations in TV. Koyame is a bit better then all the rest - but not as good as Yummy House in ocala. Given my previous chinese exposure/current expectations and in my opinion only - Yummy is on the low side of mediocre. One day when I have some free time - and can find a local experienced Asian cook who wants to make a few bucks teaching - I'll do a deep dive into my chinese addiction!