To take our minds off the bridge collapse, here is a Luddite rant.

Last Thursday, SWMBO and I went on a small road trip. We stopped by Fin, Fur, & Feather in Ashland, Ohio and I managed the find 2 thousand primers (NO LIMITS) at a reasonable current price. We went looking for dinner and I got off the wrong exit, so we decided to have Steak & Shake for our meal. We went in and ALL orders were to be placed at the kiosk! (Human Free!) there were 4 touch screens, we tried using 3 of them, but they were unresponsive.

There were two human cooks that looked at me but made no semblance of recognition of the fact I existed. There were two customers waiting for their food to be prepared, that watched our dilemma. The stood there laughing at us and made no comment. So due to lack of useful humans we left and found food at the next fast-food restaurant.

Due to lack of intelligent life, "Steak And Shake" has lost a customer.

Are non-functioning automated service devices the wave of the future?

Ivan

Yeah, if I can't tell someone behind the counter what I want to order I'll go elsewhere..I also despise talking to a drive-through box...

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Life Member GOA and NRA

You hung in there longer than I would have, I would have been out the door a millisecond after discovering I had to use one of those idiotic kiosks.

I am with ya, Ivan.

It seems to me businesses increasingly want the customer to do as much of the work as possible — e.g. self check out or those endless automated robo response menus when you call customer service before you can actually get to a human, IF you can get to a human — and then when you are finally done with them they send you endless demands to fill out their customer service surveys...

Gimme a break already!

The machines were programed to imitate the human employees GET USED TO IT

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age is just a number

It's a shame but I am afraid this will be what we will have to look forward to

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Always Stay Strong!

They aren't going to pay moron kids $15-$20 an hour to learn how to work.

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No baby we aint

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Maybe the AI app scanned both of you and determined that you just did not measure up the their high standards, thus the 'broken' kiosks...

We’re the testers of beta automation.Got to get those labor costs down!
(Think of the stockholders!)

Getting to a point that I can't make an appointment to get an oil change, see a Doctor, order medical supplies or have work done at the house by talking to a real person. It is all done on line and I am old school and I just hate that.

I can deal with just about anything after growing up with greasy horse-meat tacos in the middle of the night!

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"I also cook."

Rusty and Rudi, both had the same point! Kids don't know was an entry level position is ffor!

My wife & I did the unthinkable: We taught our kids to work. Set the plan for the day, determine the best/most efficient order to accomplish that list, and even plan on the fun afterwards! We had a family business also, so there was some physical labor involved in sweeping streets, emptying trashed out apartments. In 1997, when the oldest got a job, as a laborer, on a framing crew, I ask the boss what he was paying the boy? He said, $6.50 an hour, if I keep him!" His first paycheck was actually for $7.50 an hour, because he already knew how to work and do more than just look like he was doing something!

Except for the oldest, (a senior helicopter mechanic with a BS in business management) the other 3 are all in management of one type or another. Why? Because their employers know they will get their teams to accomplish something today!

Ivan

Yes, these devices are the coming thing.

They are cheaper, require little manpower, don't have to be paid like a cashier, and since many businesses are encouraging pay by app or card, safer (debateable) as they require no cash.

Another fact is that a lot of places using these pay very low wages...as a result, you get people working checkouts that couldn't tell the difference between an American dollar or a Chinese Yuan nor even know how to make change. Not to mention staffing shortages and often the staff they get don't want to work...but want to be paid for being on their phones/social media/etc etc etc.

To me, the good ole American dollar is still legal tender for all debts public and private. If a business won't take it, I'll find one that will.

But back to the post at hand, big box retail and fast food will all eventually be this way.

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The Last Standing Knight

Try ordering a burger PLAIN which means NOTHING ON IT...NO CHEESE...NOTHING MEANS NOTHING...ONLY MEAT AND BUN...it can't be done at a kiosk and if you are lucky enough to get a clerk and you ask for PLAIN, they stare at the order screen and do NOT know what to do...VERY VERY FRUSTRATING...

Bingo.... I"ll wait for a small amount of time, usually someone shows up, most showing a bit of annoyance - but tough, that's the way it is....

I order from a person or I walk....

On occasion I'll use the drive-thru, nowadays the first thing they ask is "are you using the mobile app????", the answer is, and will always be, "NO".

Drives me crazy..... )(*&^%$

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.............SmithNut

Should have gone to Waldo.

Look at it this way, Ivan. Had you have prevailed over the infernal machine and managed to enter an order, it would have demanded a tip.

Saturday afternoon I fought my way into Costco. Being a new member I didn’t realize what a crowd. I wanted a hotdog and a drink. There were a bunch of people standing around waiting and I noticed they have a kiosk with 4 terminals. I stepped up and tried my luck with the machine. Really simple,not many choices and easy to use. I just don’t understand using my debit card for $1.65. In true efficient Costco manner, my wait was only 7 minutes. And no tipping. I’ve tried my luck at other places and it wasn’t as successful. But you can leave a custom tip. Usually.01 cents.

G&R Tavern in Waldo, Ohio is almost a 2-hour drive from Fin, Fur & Feather. I Truely wish that had been an option! BTW, G&R won't take credit or debit cards, only cash or checks. (I don't believe I have ever written a chech for my dinner.)

Thanks for rubbing it in!

Ivan

We miss East Germany so much we are currently devoting massive resources into recreating it. Should be there in a year or two. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

I went to our local Sportsmans Warehouse yesterday to renew my fishing license and buy a few supplies for a day of stream trout fishing with my elder son on Monday. I approached a very young salesclerk in the fishing department (early 20s I'd say) to ask a few simple questions. He had already walked past me twice without acknowledging me. I said "excuse me. Can you help me out"? He seemed put out. He was sarcastic and just plain snotty towards me. I told him I changed my mind and wasn't in need of his services or his attitude.
It was at that very moment I was wishing for a kiosk! Since when has trying to patronize a business establishment become akin to proctology exam? I was so ticked off that I almost went to the Dick's across the street. I will make my way to a family-owned tackle shop tomorrow. It's across town, but I will enjoy every minute of the experience.

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paws for friendship

Totally understand the desire to spend extra to not use the app . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

You put it a bit more harshly than I would have, but you hit the nail on the head.

If they are paying someone $15-$20 an hour to take your order, and stand around when there are no orders to be taken, then the price of a small Steakburger is going to go from $5 to $7 or $8. Labor is the single biggest factor in their operating cost - more than anything else - even more than the food.

If you're OK with paying $8 for a small burger, go to the places without the kiosks. If you want your burger for $5, go to the places with kiosks.

It is simple economics.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

One of the best X Files late in the series. It was well done and even non fans should try and watch it if they can find it.


“Last Chance to Tip”: The X-Files, ‘Rm9sbG93ZXJz’



“Last Chance to Tip”: The X-Files, ‘Rm9sbG93ZXJz’ — Everything is Scary


"The X-Files" Rm9sbG93ZXJz (TV Episode 2018) - IMDb

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Still Running Against the Wind

He was just giving you the NY attitude.

If all the fast-food places in the world closed tomorrow, I don't know that I'd notice.

I have no issue with the kiosks.

Hell, they have pictures along with the description.

Touch what you want, add or subtract ingredients, get it how you want it and pay.

Fail to see what the problem is

We just drove over to South Carolina the first week of March. I'm still trying to get the taste of fast food out of my head. I had to feed the wife & dog, plus dog gotta do dog things. 10 1/2 hour drive took 12 hrs. I try to stay away from fast food, but it's usually a necessary evil when I do. I worked a fast food place in high school. If we didn't like you, chances are there could be a little extra on your food.
Watch the movie called "Waiting."

My answer is, "No, with an F." Some of them get it.

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Release the Kraken

The nearest Costco to me varies between stupid busy and manic. It's worse than the Sam's Club my wife goes to, so we let our membership lapse.

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Release the Kraken

I refuse to use the kiosks at McDonalds. I have never been able to get them to work. Happily I have never been refused service when I go directly to the cash register and put in my order. That's probably all I can say without getting dinged.

So, exactly what is the NY attitude? I've lived here most of my 65 years and have no idea what you're talking about. If you are referring to the attitude that those who live in NY City sometimes exhibit, then a quick trip to Google maps will tell you that I'm about 400 miles from there. Otherwise, a vast majority of the people in these parts are thoughtful, helpful and polite. ANY area is bound to have jerks. I ran into one at the store.
I've run into idiots in every state I've been to. That's just the law of averages. Florida is certainly no exception.
I hope you have an enlightening day.

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paws for friendship

What's better (worse); a kiosk where you push buttons to get service or a salesclerk that pushes your buttons for having to provide you service?

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paws for friendship

Who the heck are you tipping at a kiosk?

Bah humbug!

And I would guess that all of you use a filling station with a pump jockey?

Those 'beginner jobs' are actually a method for the business owner to earn more profit....Labor is just another expense to minimize.

Not able to make change? I know a number of people who can't seem to use your, you're, their, there and they're correctly either....

There is an old saying about people living in glass houses...

From a former pump jockey and hash slinger...

Yeah right tipping a kiosk!- The only tipping done at a kiosk should be putting it on its side!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

That why I post Northern NY and sometime pin it down much farther by listing Adirondack mountains. Seems like a bunch of NYC people and "journalists" consider upstate any thing more that 2 inches outside the city limits.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

At the fast food places I go to the cash registers are programmed, the worker simply presses the button for that item, that enters the price.
At my usual Shoprite there is usually an employee by the self checkouts to deal with problems with the machines.
NY attitude-? I lived in NYC 1959-1961, still go there now and then, haven't noted any "attitude". I do wonder about the people who live there, why they put up with it.
My experience with the fast food places I go to-McDonald's, Burger King, now Chick-Fil-A is that their portion and quality control is good, they do a good job of training people.
Using a kiosk ? Not much different from shopping online as opposed to in-store shopping IMHO.
At the Burger King I usually go to with my 2 friends we joke we often have
the dining room to ourselves.

I don't use kiosks because they seem to flip and flop so fast that by the time I find what I want, they are off to some other part of the menu and I have to wait (not) for it to cycle back around. McD's is the worst.

I refuse to use and app; I don't know what data they are collecting, at the least they are receiving my marketing data and I am not being compensated enough.
Recent articles indicate that many apps are hoovering up all of your information and passing it along.

I know these scenarios are somewhat different, but it gives me pause that so many demand human contact when buying a meal, but want the DMV to do everything electronically. Just a thought.

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Release the Kraken

If you eat at those places you are gonna see more and more automation.


Just read about California and McDonalds as to pay workers $20/hr. So prices will go up and/or workers laid off.


We need a return of the Automats!!

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Still Running Against the Wind

Another reason we do not go in/ eat so called “ fast food”. There are NO REAL fast food places any more. You Have No Idea who prepares food, whats in the food, and how it was cooked.

Seems to me using a CC esp in a Kiosk is mainly saving the business money, while continuing to raise prices, costing me time and mining information on the CC user. That, they sell to make more money...and with the amount of released jail/prison inmates working at FF joints these days...we're just asking to get our financials hacked...enough of that happens at self serve gas too. I'm paranoid at the gas stations these days. A friend uses a bank account based debit card. He has been hacked 6 times in two and a half years. One they traced back to a Mickey Ds Kiosk...so he told me.... 4 times at gas stations

So how was Fin, Fur, Feather ? How was their stock ? How was their basement reloading room ?

You should have immediately REPORTED him to the manager of the store and demand that he be FIRED! NO EXCUSE for his behavior...

It's actually very easy to modify a burger or other order at a McD's kiosk. I like a plain double cheeseburger when I'm driving so I don't drip condiments all over my lap. Really simple. Dash in, order from the kiosk, use the restroom, pick up order. I do it all the time . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Even in person, talking to a human behind the counter, I ask for "just the meat & bun"...the first thing out of their mouth is "would you like cheese on that"...!

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Life Member GOA and NRA

They do that as they are trained to upsell. The correct response would be "no, thank you".

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Music/Sports/Beer fan