Phone is still the best way to order pizza • Hacker News Board

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#311

Post by alexvoda » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 10:43 AM UTC

hilbert42 wrote: post #257

devoutsalsa wrote: post #240

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Next time try calling the restaurant!

The restaurant had its name on the bill but no telephone number. Presumably, this done to stop or reduce telephone complaints direct to the restaurant. Seems that everything must be done online.

I was a very slow adopter of Uber rides many years ago. When talking to some evangelist at that time offering me codes for free rides, one of the reasons I gave for not using Uber at that time, was that it was completely dependent on smartphone apps, therefore being unusable to certain portions of the population (old non-technical people, those who lost their phone, those who use an OS other than Android or iOS, dead battery and no charging cable, etc.). I foresaw that should it outcompete traditional services to the point of bankruptcy, those people would be left unserviced. I proposed having a web UI and a phone line.

It is sad to see that prediction coming true in various fields. This strong bias against having customer service people, against customers having any way to talk to a person, is noxious to society at large.

I guess in the same line of thought, I find the abandonment of the public phone system to be sad. Instead of replacing old phones with newer terminals with internet capabilities, we abandoned the entire system. Therefore making the world a bit more unequal and a bit more dependent on personal devices.

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#312

Post by radiator » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 10:46 AM UTC

ajuc wrote: post #273

jimmyswimmy wrote: post #23

Most of the comments here are focused on the question of why you would prefer an app to calling. The author's point is a great one though, and something I've wondered a lot. Why should I create an account to order a pizza? The app should reduce friction even from the very first order. Instead it adds, and adds for every order... Got to go look up coupon codes! On the phone I just ask the guy what their best deal is i…

In my country there's a website that works in every major city and their suburbs that aggregates basically all restaurants, pizzerias, pierogarnias etc. And you don't have to have an account, the address and payment details are filled in by the browser autocomplete. So the friction is - click on the menu, click "order", type in the wireless transfer code. Also - almost nobody orders "pick up" pizza here, so phone req…

> so phone requires you to specify the address every time which is significantly more friction.

For some restaurants this is not true, they save your (phone number -> address) mapping the first time you call, and in the future ask for confirmation whether the address is correct.

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#313

Post by navbaker » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:00 AM UTC

tluyben2 wrote: post #290

anamexis wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Plain pie" is New Yorkish for cheese pizza.

Margherita Pizza or just base with cheese (cannot imagine the latter)? Margherita makes sense for plain pie in more places around the world.

Typically in the US, a margherita pizza is a very specific combo of cheese, tomatoes, and basil on top. Very different from just a plain cheese pizza.

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#314

Post by freetime2 » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:14 AM UTC

I live in a country where the local language is not my first language. Phone conversations are so much harder than in-person conversation due to the lack of visual cues and poor audio quality. Or sometimes you just get someone who is really difficult to understand. Even with something as simple as ordering a pizza, I’m really glad there’s an app for that (and it’s even translated into English!)

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#315

Post by freetime2 » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:19 AM UTC

samtheDamned wrote: post #226

function_seven wrote: post #221

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Taco Bell and Chick-fil-a apps are amazing. I spend as much time as I want going over the menu, customizing my items as I see fit (steak instead of ground beef, or creamy salsa dressing instead of avocado lime), and pay for it before I get in the car. When I drive up, I just say "online order for function_seven" and they say, "cool, we'll have it at the window". The staff taking orders from the speaker are often…

> I spend as much time as I want going over the menu, customizing my items as I see fit (steak instead of ground beef, or creamy salsa dressing instead of avocado lime) Having worked in fast food for a long time, I've noticed that with the rise of ordering on mobile apps, a lot of the apps have started to nudge customers to customize their orders way more. It can be somewhat frustrating to be on the receiving end of…

You mean like None Pizza with Left Beef?

https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/838967-special-delivery-inst...

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#316

Post by jzb » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:19 AM UTC

I’m guessing this author doesn’t regularly order delivery for a family or a group larger than three.

If, say, my brother is over I need to order at least 3 pizzas including something vegan and a salad for my wife. Specifying all of that over the phone while somebody is at the store with everything going on in the background is always a PITA.

Plenty of places have order systems that allow guest checkout with no account if you don’t want to create one.

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#317

Post by refactor_master » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:28 AM UTC

freetime2 wrote: post #314

I live in a country where the local language is not my first language. Phone conversations are so much harder than in-person conversation due to the lack of visual cues and poor audio quality. Or sometimes you just get someone who is really difficult to understand. Even with something as simple as ordering a pizza, I’m really glad there’s an app for that (and it’s even translated into English!)

You call. It’s Friday. Rush hour. His hands are full, so you’re on speaker. Pizza guy is Italian. You’re not. Neither of you know the NATO alphabet.

I’d take the app any time.

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#318

Post by Closi » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:33 AM UTC

jzb wrote: post #316

I’m guessing this author doesn’t regularly order delivery for a family or a group larger than three. If, say, my brother is over I need to order at least 3 pizzas including something vegan and a salad for my wife. Specifying all of that over the phone while somebody is at the store with everything going on in the background is always a PITA. Plenty of places have order systems that allow guest checkout with no accoun…

Absolutely - put your order in and pass it on to the next person to add their stuff. So much easier!

Ordering on the phone might be faster for some people and bad apps, but I find ordering on the app more chill. I can be sure what I ordered, see the whole menu with the latest pricing, and get delivery updates without ringing back.

(As a sidenote - i'm not sure it's actually faster though, particularly as most people seem to be talking about repeat customers. I usually order from Dodo's Pizza (dodopizza.co.uk) and just opened the app and attempted to order a pepperoni pizza for pickup, and the whole interaction took c10 seconds. I logged out and tried and it took 15 seconds instead as they have sign in with Apple).

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#319

Post by Macha » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:39 AM UTC

Closi wrote: post #318

jzb wrote: post #316

I’m guessing this author doesn’t regularly order delivery for a family or a group larger than three. If, say, my brother is over I need to order at least 3 pizzas including something vegan and a salad for my wife. Specifying all of that over the phone while somebody is at the store with everything going on in the background is always a PITA. Plenty of places have order systems that allow guest checkout with no accoun…

Absolutely - put your order in and pass it on to the next person to add their stuff. So much easier! Ordering on the phone might be faster for some people and bad apps, but I find ordering on the app more chill . I can be sure what I ordered, see the whole menu with the latest pricing, and get delivery updates without ringing back. (As a sidenote - i'm not sure it's actually faster though, particularly as most people…

> Absolutely - put your order in and pass it on to the next person to add their stuff. So much easier!

And hope the staff member has taken proper notes while dealing with everything else going on and not put the extra bacon on the vegan burger or the coleslaw in with the picky eater's meal?

Re: Phone is still the best way to order pizza

#320

Post by Closi » Sun, Jan 30, 2022, 11:44 AM UTC

Macha wrote: post #319

Closi wrote: post #318

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Absolutely - put your order in and pass it on to the next person to add their stuff. So much easier! Ordering on the phone might be faster for some people and bad apps, but I find ordering on the app more chill . I can be sure what I ordered, see the whole menu with the latest pricing, and get delivery updates without ringing back. (As a sidenote - i'm not sure it's actually faster though, particularly as most people…

> Absolutely - put your order in and pass it on to the next person to add their stuff. So much easier! And hope the staff member has taken proper notes while dealing with everything else going on and not put the extra bacon on the vegan burger or the coleslaw in with the picky eater's meal?

I mean pass the app on, I'm agreeing with OP.