[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]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Why would anyone call? Use the app or website

True dat 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]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Why would anyone call? Use the app or website

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

[thevillages2013]

Originally Posted by Graspher

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

You going to order on the app next time?

[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?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

Tried there pizza once, never going back

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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. 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

How credit card companies track you - Marketplace

Why Don’t We Have More Privacy When We Use A Credit Card? | American Civil Liberties Union

[jimbomaybe]

Originally Posted by 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...

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]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

Why would anyone call? Use the app or website

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