It finally Happened...

[HOUSTON RICK]

Restaurants and others have been encouraging me to use computers and kiosks to order and I have dodged it. Tonight, I went into the local Taco Bell since the drive through was wrapped around the building. I started to order and before I said the second item, the kid ran off to make the first, and left me talking to air. He popped back and looked on his computer, and did not see that item in any of the online pre-orders. He then asked me if I was from Door Dash or Uber Eats. I said "no I just came in to make a carryout order. No computers. no internet." Deer in the headlights. Frozen solid and silent. I could see the wheel spinning in a loop - but he could not process it. There was some chatter in the backroom and the manager came out and politely took my order. Is it that strange now for someone to walk in a fast service restaurant and make an old-fashioned carry out order? Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

Getting to be the norm more than the exception.

Some Taco Bells are doing kiosk/card transactions ONLY. No cash taken.

A lot of other businesses are going that route as well.

I look at it like this...if my good ole US Dollar isn't good enough for them then the business isn't good enough for me.

As far as customer service....I'm just gonna leave that lay as anything I'd write here would get me banned until 2525 AD!

 

[Rustyt1953]

Having two yutes under roof I am accustomed to navigating the various fast food labyrinths. I pay by plastic.

I have been assimilated.

 

[Krogen]

What would have happened if you asked the headlight deer to make change???

 

[Model 19 6"]

I look for do you need help button.

 

[LVSteve]

The fast food places at the Vegas airport have largely gone to kiosk order. Some of it might be through lack of staff, as whole wings of Terminal 3 had no stores open last time I was there. There were plenty of people catching planes in those areas, but nothing was open for eats. I suspect lots of people got laid off during COVID and now they cannot get the staff back, either because their TSA accreditation has expired or because it takes so long to get new people processed.

 

[tlawler]

…I'm just gonna leave that lay as anything I'd write here would get me banned until 2525 AD!

…If man is still alive

 

[chief38]

We eat out a lot, probably too much! More and more we find that the way you are supposed to order is from am iPad or your iPhone. I always ask the waitress or waiter fro a real menu - they usually give me "the look" but do bring one. Now the big thing is that at the end of the meal they bring the check on an iPad and you just pay at the table. If you want to pay in cash they give you that look once again.

BTW now all these computerized checks give you a button to push indicating the tip you want to leave. I guess people today can't figure out percentages and need a computer to do it for them. Maybe it's a way for them to try and get a bigger tip.

The BIG pet peeve I have is now everyone expects a tip just for doing their jobs and that they are already being paid for! They now have tip buttons at the fast food places, ice cream parlors, etc. I am a generous tipper (20 - 25%) as long as the service is good, but I won't leave a tip for someone handing me a cup of coffee in a fast food or beverage place.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The gas/convenance store by church hasn't made a bank run for money since before the Covid shut down! Just drops in the night deposit. They have never gone to exact change only. but when out of coins they round to nearest dollar.

Ivan

 

[Bekeart]

Want MY Tip = Give Service

Responding to Chief38's post #8

Want MY Tip = Give Service

Want MY business = Human Interaction.

I will do computer/online orders with Amazon and Flea Pay.
I will not deal with a computer/kiosk/iPad/iPhone for a burger and fries.
Businesses have their policies and I have mine. They have a chance at the money in my pocket.

I and SHMBO dine occasionally at some favorites.
We tip WELL and the staff knows and remembers us.
The staff remembers our drink order and seating preferences.
Tips are CASH. That way I know who gets the tip.

Bekeart

 

[BigBoy99]

The BIG pet peeve I have is now everyone expects a tip just for doing their jobs and that they are already being paid for! They now have tip buttons at the fast food places, ice cream parlors, etc. I am a generous tipper (20 - 25%) as long as the service is good, but I won't leave a tip for someone handing me a cup of coffee in a fast food or beverage place.

Tips are give for the service provided. I have left a quarter as a tip to a waitress who was so busy talking with her friends that she couldn't take time to refill my empty water glass. I had to get up and refill my own water glass twice! (This was during July.) I debated about leaving no tip but then she might think I had forgotten so the quarter was left.

 

[steelslaver]

While I dislike stuff like ordering my food from a screen, places not taking cash, self checkout etc, the day is coming when you will not have much choice. There was a time when some people did not have any form of bank account. LOL try that now, most banks will not even cash a check on their own account if you do not have an account, be like my one stubborn brother and don't have an email account, now days lots of companies pay by direct deposit and email you your pay statement. I just got hooked up with a job and guess how all the paperwork came, email. Don't have a smart phone, sorry no discount for you.

You can complain about it all you want, But , let me ask you this. When was the last time someone washed your windshield, checked your oil and filled your car with gas while you sit in it?? Happened at the gas stations and it will happen at food stations too.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

i have lost track of the number of times I have been in a supermarket and an employee has to come to a self check out machine to deal with a problem. The other day I was in the local market, the cashier had his hands full with a customer, problems with her cards. I waited about 5 minutes, finally went to another register.
I was just appointed/elected a deacon in my church, the meetings held via ZOOM. Took my one Dell laptop to Best Buy to get Window 10 or whatever installed-the computer is too old.

 

[Baxter6551]

If I could double or triple like Chief 38’s and Bekart’s posts I would. Big Boys too!
Yesterday (and many other times recently) I was in Lowes - not one regular register open. I can’t get my military discount on the self serve machine. I have to wait for the attendant to PLEASE look up my phone number and ring me up on her register with the accompanying attitude. Grocery stores the same way - I am paying their higher prices and doing their job to ring me out on top of it and then have to pay 10 cents for a flimsy paper bag that rips when I pick it up. I avoid using drive thru most places but I get ignored when I go inside as they are all too busy taking care of the drive through or mobile orders (which I NEVER do). I tip only where traditional if service warrants it and never in tip jars. I guess I’m just a curmudgeon.

 

[NYlakesider]

Well as a card carring Luddite i do not like the way things are going. I order by talking to the waiter and also pay the same way!

One post above was easy, do not go to Taco Bell!

Tips are up to me. You deserved it you will get it. On Saturday night we went into a Japanese steak house, there were 11 of us and we had a reservation (sons birthday". Food was good and the service was rushed. On the menu it stated on every page that a "gratuity" of 18% would go on groups over 7 people, no problem. We normally leave about 25%, thanks for saving us some money.

Even my son who likes/liked the place and goes with his wife once every couple months said he was not happy with the very speedy service and will keep that in mind if to go back or not.

Guess I will have to keep a eye on restaurants policy's in future, if not in agreement why bother going there!--

 

[Marine Corps Air]

I believe that there could be several reasons for fast food stores migrating to kiosks:

1. Especially in the Atlanta area, keeping cash on premises is an invitation for a robbery by the druggies, gang-bangers, gangs, etc. Moving that cash to a night depository places employees at risk;

2. Employees today never learned basic math in grammar school. They cannot make change or calculate the amount to be returned to the customer;

3. Kiosks don't earn $15-$17/hour, not including benefits;

4. Finding reliable employees whose face doesn't look like a tackle box, and is full of tattoos is another challenge.

I made my weekly pilgrimage to McDonald's Saturday morning using the drive through. No one at Window #1 to take my money or gift card. When I arrived at Window #2 the employee had his head covered with a hood, which I hate. He did not speak plainly and I have no idea what his hygiene standards are.

This is a migration to automation that requires only the fewest human beings. "We have met the enemy, and he is us!" (Pogo).

Back in the day, when I worked with Customers as an employee, I was always informed that I represented my employer in my personal appearance, demeanor, courtesy, service, and manners. The employer was too busy to perform these tasks now, so that's why I was hired. If only employees could meet those same standards today.............!

Cheers!

Bill

 

[Bekeart]

Computer does not give advertised discounts.

Baxter6551 mentioned grocery stores and self-check outs.

Grocery Problem:

Ad: Buy Five or More items and get $1 Off of Each item.

Check Out Computer - does not calculate and give the $5 OFF!
This happens at both the manned register and the self-check outs.
Requires Manual Entry of an employee's code to over-ride.


Digital Coupons = Only those with Smart Phones Need Apply!
Financial Discrimination against those without Smart Phone and/or computer access.

A coalition of national consumer groups is urging leading supermarket chains to stop discriminating against senior citizens and low-income shoppers who cannot take advantage of a new wave of advertised digital-only discounts because millions of them do not have internet access or smartphones.

But, since 25% of seniors don’t use the internet and 39% don’t have smartphones, according to a 2021 study by the Pew Research Center, they are effectively shut out of these deals. Similarly, 43% of low-income households lack broadband internet access.

Quote from:
Consumer Action - Stop digital-only coupon discrimination

Bekeart

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Restaurants and others have been encouraging me to use computers and kiosks to order and I have dodged it. Tonight, I went into the local Taco Bell since the drive through was wrapped around the building. I started to order and before I said the second item, the kid ran off to make the first, and left me talking to air. He popped back and looked on his computer, and did not see that item in any of the online pre-orders. He then asked me if I was from Door Dash or Uber Eats. I said "no I just came in to make a carryout order. No computers. no internet." Deer in the headlights. Frozen solid and silent. I could see the wheel spinning in a loop - but he could not process it. There was some chatter in the backroom and the manager came out and politely took my order. Is it that strange now for someone to walk in a fast service restaurant and make an old-fashioned carry out order? Thank you for your thoughts.

What IS strange is a man of your age and discernment going into a Taco Bell.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Tips are give for the service provided. I have left a quarter as a tip to a waitress who was so busy talking with her friends that she couldn't take time to refill my empty water glass. I had to get up and refill my own water glass twice! (This was during July.) I debated about leaving no tip but then she might think I had forgotten so the quarter was left.

My dad used to leave a penny in similar circumstances. He wanted them to know he hadn't forgotten, and what he thought their "service" was worth.

John

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

What would have happened if you asked the headlight deer to make change???

Instant smoke out of ears....Short Circuit.

I avoid kiosk like a coiled cotton mouth. If they fully take over I'll just eat at home. Best food there anyway.