@Redwraithvienna: Yes. This.

If I'm ordering take out, and the person I'm ordering from speaks English as a second language, there's a far greater chance that the order will be wrong due to miscommunication. So... I'd rather use a website.

Same goes for tech support calls, calling bank customer service, etc.

That said, there are plenty of folks that I'm forced to interact with that are bloody idiots, no matter what their native tongue is.

s0crates82

do the machines possess fleshlight.

BiZarRroBALlmeR

OMG - after I saw the post about pizza systems yesterday, I got so hungry for it. So, even though I had never gotten Dominos in my area before (Dorchester, Boston, MA), I thought I'd give the internet interface a whirl.

I completed my order at 9:31 pm on the dot. (I waited for the numeral to turn.) I watched the interface as Ana made my pizza and put it in the oven. I thought, "How Nice. Humans with real names are involved." I settled in for a long 30ish minute wait.

I had gotten through, oh, maybe 2 more Giz posts when the phone rang. I said, "No way-", checked the Dominos interface, and it said that "Noul is delivering your pizza." I thought that maybe he was calling to say he left, so I picked up the phone. The Caller ID said "Noul" somebody. Cool! But then, the inconceivable occurred: he said he was outside! No friggin' way!

I went to the door, and a small energetic man exited his car and ran , I kid you not, ran up my stairs and handed me my pizza. I signed, tipped and I couldn't stop smiling it was so fast and surreal, like a flashback to the service stations in the early 60s.

I went in and checked the same computer clock and the interface:
THE WHOLE THING HAD TAKEN ONLY 10 MINUTES!!!

I checked, re-checked, re-re-re-checked it. Yup. 10 minutes. It took me 20 minutes to eat the thing, it was so hot!

Machines and humans combined to make that happen, but when I saw the face of the delivery guy and what a game it was for them all, I knew it was mostly the humans. Well done, Dominos, for figuring out a way to pull this off.

That was probably the most remarkable pizza of my life, and I've had more than a few.

awemaker

@Skeptical_Geezer: You just have to be sure to sign into the Spanish page.

"Meatlovers grande con queso adicional, y una caja de Dos Equis, por favor?"

Yea, they have beer on the Spanish page.

MagnoliaBoy

@estephanovich: You crazy.

Live chat support with CS in India rocks my world. Motherf***ers are trained to get sh*t done!

92BuickLeSabre

@92BuickLeSabre: Agreed, anything that actually needs clarification is always going to be better face to face.

Metkis

I personally would rather talk to a person any day of the week. More often than not, I find that I don't get nearly as frustrated by talking to a person.

RandaPanda0283

@Thats Dr Bear to You: or wouldn't

Thats Dr Bear to You

@Skeptical_Geezer: Yep. I order from the local pizzerias online and god forbid I fill out the "special instructions" box asking for something crazy like "extra hot peppers" or "fresh garlic."

92BuickLeSabre

@92BuickLeSabre: totally agree

mpar

@92BuickLeSabre: "But when you just need X, give me a machine."

And when you just need E, give me a dealer.

A vitamin dealer. What did you think I meant?

bosskev

when it comes to ordering items, machines. When it comes to Customer support, People if they are Native English speakers, if India based support, would rather not interact with either People or Machine, unless it's some super smart AI intelligence which still does not exist.

estephanovich

@MagnoliaBoy: Of course, the pizza maker still has to be able to READ the order, which, at the Domino's that services my area, doesn;t seem to be something they can do the majority of the time!

Skeptical_Geezer

@bosskev: That will only happen the day we start writing applications using LOLCode.

ripfire

History of social interaction: Facebook, then MySpace, then Friendster,then Xanga, then this little thing called ACTUAL HUMAN INTERACTION.

But yeah, I prefer humans. Machines are so cold and inpersonal.

I freebase cocaine for a living

People with everything.

opazhman

Service has turned to such crap in the US that I'd rather deal with machines. On the phone however, the machine seems to serve no purpose other than to frustrate people into giving up on the call.

MaWeiTao

@crabbygeek: "machines...No attitude"

Are you forgetting...

A really bad case of a machine with attitude if you ask me.

bosskev

Talking to people over the phone is key, I was able to get $70 bucks off my cable setup since Time Warner kepts screwing up times and the girl on the phone discounted the bill to keep me from yellng.

A machine would have cared at all and I wouldn't have my free cable for a month.

Thats Dr Bear to You

As far as Pizza goes, I definitely go with the online ordering. There's no middle man to screw your order up, and whatever your order is, whatever you select, prints right up on the screen for the guy who's actually making your pie. No fuss, no confusion, no accents getting in the way, no haggling over specials...
On the other hand, as far as phones go, I hate, HATE automated voice systems. HATE!

MagnoliaBoy

Cats.

Jesse in Japan

depends on the person i am talking too.

Redwraithvienna

1) machines that pretend to be people for most things
2) people that pretend to be machines for the "other stuff" if you know what I mean

weatherman

It depends. I prefer to talk to people, but if the line is too long or they're just plain obnoxious, I'd pick machines.

ripfire

01101101 01100001 01100011 01101000 01101001 01101110 01100101 01110011

Translation: machines

No attitude

crabbygeek

No matter how hard you try, you still can't replace the human element. I will say that there are SOME machines out there that can best SOME humans, but I think by and large in this day and age the human touch is still sublime.

SouthendXGF

1) People face to face
2) Machines
3) People over a machine (i.e. actual communication by e-mail)
4) Phones.

Communication with people is actually pretty inefficient, but it's worth it when you are actually interacting, hanging out, etc.

But when you just need X, give me a machine.

And talking on the phone is simply the worst of all worlds.

92BuickLeSabre

At the movies last friday, they have kiosk that sells tickets and clerks at the box office who sell them. There was actually a longer line to use the self service kiosk, but the line went quicker.

Mooshie

@elgilicious: way to dodge the question and not give us a concrete answer, ass.

SouthendXGF

@MagnoliaBoy: @92BuickLeSabre: *Sigh* Here we go again...

ripfire

@MagnoliaBoy: Reaaaaaaallllly....

[gizmodo.com]

92BuickLeSabre

Machines won't help you iron out your social deficiencies. However, machines will not judge you for your social deficiencies. So, you're caught between learning to enjoy the company of others, and possibly have more sex, or simply live with machines, be in an oblivious stupor and simply have sex with yourself without effort. It is a pickle.

Kaiser-Machead's Cookie-Powered LEGO Machine

Machines, generally.

William Hook

@92BuickLeSabre: To be fair, if I order a Pizza online, it's usually Poppa Js. And they seem to be pretty spot on with the special instructions, and not to stingy on the extras. Mostly however, if I'm not broke, I dig the Brooklyn style, and you have to talk to Uncle Vito if you want one of those. I try to stay away from Dominoes and Pizza Hut, to many bad experiences as a whole. Bad eat in experiences, bad ordering experiences, and bad food experiences. Plus Dominoes is run by a bunch of commie bastards, so you have that too.

As a whole, I've been thrilled with online pizza ordering. Since I've been using it, my rate of bad orders has dropped significantly. You still have your screw ups in various areas, but as a whole it's WAY better than it was.

MagnoliaBoy

I prefer machines. Most of them are working 24 hours a day and are normally quicker. The only thing I can't break is at the supermarket and those self checkout machines. Something about that just feels wrong.

alterboy

If the people are assholes or morons, then I prefer machines. If the machines are buggy or broken, then I prefer people.

elgilicious

Okay, I just broke down and order a pizza online for dinner.

Are you all getting subsidized by NAPO or something?

92BuickLeSabre

Humans, no doubt about it.

thefutureisnow

I mean, in the case of OpenTable why call up and make reservations when you can press a few buttons and schedule it online?

It's a great service, but it seems the two sides can get out of sync.

someToast

@MagnoliaBoy: And I can't lie, that butter sauce stuff, is bullshit.

But Peperonchinies FTW!

MagnoliaBoy

@92BuickLeSabre: What exactly was the experience? You must have had some really bad slice. I think since Papa Johns has been around, I've only had it in the south, and it's always been at least 'better' than the alternatives. Since they use 'fresh' ingredients and make the sauce in small batches, allot of pies are allot better than pies I just had maybe a week before. Than before you know it, another pie comes in, and it's pretty damn good. They tend to vary. But if I order on the cheap, it's usually PJs. You got me, but Dominoes' and Pizza Hut's various civil and human rights abuses far outways any of the dog shit they they serve paying customers.

MagnoliaBoy

I love talking to people. I particularly like talking to absolute strangers for no real reason other than to be friendly. And my wife just hates it. She's much happier with a machine.

It's always an argument at the grocery store. She wants to use the self-service lane. I'd rather deal with a person. (Particularly because the self-service rarely works right.)

Plus, it's hard to flirt with a machine half my age. (Most machines half my age are broken.)

TommySez

@92BuickLeSabre: I'm sure someone will call me a racist or something but... Me ordering my damn pizza online ensures that the person who normally answers the phone, and doesn't speak very good english (Like the new greek joint down the road where the owner's mother is from Greece...) doesn't fsck up my food.

I'm picky. I'm REALLY picky about my food. I want my food cooked the way I order it, not the way someone feels my food should be interpreted. I swear, I'll cut a bitch if I get one more pickle touching my food after I say "NO PICKLES!".

But, seriously. It's far faster, and easier for me to order food online, than it is for me to call them, be put on hold, wait for 5 minutes, be put on hold again but accidentally hung up on, then be put on hold while they try to get back to me on the other line where they hung up on me... All so that I can tell them I want pepperoni on my pizza.

Lite

Machines, but I prefer talking to people on the phone.

Glare

totally unfair QOTD. Sometimes I've had too much 'people time' and need to unwind in front of my PC. other times I'm lonely and want to go out and comingle with my fellow human beings. totally depends on my mood. you have to give particulars, and instances, so this question is bogus imo.

and how do we qualify what I'm doing now? I'm typing on my laptop, but I don't know if anyone ANYTIME will ever read what I've typed here (unless in future I check back and look for responses - something I never do). so is this just mental masturbation? perhaps, and that brings us to the main point.

sex with totally hot 19-24 yo females is just the bee's knees, Meg. Totally is. will NEVER be replaced by robo sex in my lifetime to the same degree of hotness/awesomeness.

so, due to the fact that given the choice I would be having sex with all the hot 19 yofs I could, that makes me choose 'human interaction'. Strictly for the tardcore, folks.

banmojo

Lets be frank - one dosnt interact with people - we dont interact with machines. We watch porn.

Stacky Botrus

I have Social Anxiety Disorder, so being able to deal with machines is a real relief. Although there are some things that electronics can't help with...yet!

Rincewind

@unspellable: You know, like "We, the People"? Really, not a word you are familiar with?

92BuickLeSabre

@92BuickLeSabre: What's a "people"?

unspellable

@Mooshie:

It's the same at my theater. They have several kiosk's which are typically used first. Only people paying cash have to get in the "line ride".

They should put in a bunch of them so there is rarely a line and also let you buy food that way to. Then just pickup your order from the clone with minimal interaction required.

Oh, and "machines" is my answer to the question as long as the interface is well done, because then I know the order is placed just the way I like.

AlternateEarth

better to send a concise text/email, too easy to misinterpret verbal commands.
would you rather say "onions, mushrooms, burger, chillies, cheese, olives" and hope they don't give you sausage with bell peppers, green olives, and anchovies OR submit in writing? they can recheck against text and it serves as proof of order in case something goes wrong.

Bonkuro

i prefer man-chines

juandotcom

Machines
Stupid answering Machines why do i need to call back tomorrow you're there now just tell me my stupid answer. No thats not what I am looking for just tell me how to put a password on my computer

people
I'm stuck on hold for 2 hours and got transfered because they didn't know the answer in this department.

i prefer people you will still get your answer it will take a few hours but eventualy you get it

Izy2091

Bad command or file name.

Shai:\

Shai

@SouthendXGF:

Exactly. I consider myself a gadget freak but how are machines ranked over humans? Machines are crappily annoying everywhere! If anything goes wrong you can't bargin with a machine or get it to do except what it's programmed. Why do you think there are websites devoted to getting straight to the operator? I get extra service all the time from just being nice to people. Plus being antisocial sucks!
Some of you people are BANANAS!

MBPsadly

I voted machines except for phone calls.. As in 'phone calls' I assumed this also meant live chat rooms.
I prefer the self checkouts at stores. I prefer ordering my pizza through email. I prefer online shopping to B+M.

drewdoog

@AlternateEarth: There's never anyone at the ticket kiosks at our local theater, even when there's a hundred people in line.

But for some reason, these people who won't use the ticket machine at the theater have no problem attempting the self-checkout at Wal-Mart, usually meaning the self-checks take at least 15 minutes to get through.

TVGenius

I put people, but it really depends on what you are dealing with and who you are dealing with. I'd rather not talk to a person when it has anything to do with technology troubleshooting. But, in the grocery checkout line I much prefer a cashier to self checkout.

Chewbenator

Communication Studies Major Here!!!

Derek Devine

@92BuickLeSabre: "You know, like "We, the People"?"

92BuickLeSabre, perhaps our friend unspellable is a Yang and only recognizes the phrase as "E Plebnista".

bosskev

I prefer machines. You get exactly the same "customer service" and the machine doesn't go all "oh-no-you-di'ent" on you when you swear at it.

rgspb

@Mooshie: The people who use self serve machines tend to just want to get their crap and get out, rather than have a whole experience. They don't want to talk about what movies tehy've seen, or ask about the moviegoer thing, they just want their ticket and to go.

StarChaser Tyger

The biggest example of this I have is trying to order iced tea with no damn sugar in it. They'll ASK "Unsweer tea?" and half the time I still get sweet tea because apparently people can't believe that someone who lives in the south WOULDN'T want it.

StarChaser Tyger

@Mooshie: I almost always use the self serve ticket kiosks when I go to my local AMC and haven't bought the tickets online ahead of time. But for most movies, I go to the ArcLight Hollywood or The Bridge in Culver City and pick my seats and print the ticket at home. That way I don't have to worry about showing up really early...my seats are waiting for me.

Barion

@opazhman: Except anchovies. Always hold the anchovies.

gibson042

i prefer for some parts talking to humans in real life (that means no phone)
machines can't hate someone for a stupid joke

TBM-Fan

@Jesse in Japan: i seconded that

TBM-Fan

"The release of the OpenTable iPhone app and the TiVo partnership with Dominos Pizza..."

"...Dominos Pizza..."

Didn't I correct this less than a week ago?

And from the opposite angle, the other day I saw "PC's" in a Microsoft ad. A few months ago there was an ad for 60 Minutes all over Yahoo! News involving "CEO's." Gizmodo is one thing - I know you folks have to play fast and loose - but you'd think that Microsoft and CBS would want to employ some decent copy editors.

Killjoy

@awemaker: Nice... post?

berbar

Oh man, with the holidays approaching I'm trying to get all my shopping done online. If I step into a mall in December I'll lose it. I get mall rage.

broho

I prefer talking to people, but in the case of ordering food for delivery or pick up, I'd rather order it online. That way I don't have to worry about whether or not they heard everything I said and will be less likely to mess up my order.

GTgeek

For somethings people, for others, machines. Example: I tried ordering a ten topping pizza from a place, it always gets screwed up, and I get stuff I don't want, or they forget something. If I order online, it comes right, every time.

graffiksguru

90% of the time, Machines, you don't have to deal with a person and there emotions. It's nice. But there are sometimes, when speaking with a person is actually nice. But anymore its rare than you run into really good customer service. But it's also rare that you find a place that actually makes you want to come back and shop, or come back for the service etc.

It depends..

-Core-

GOD!! PEOPLE!!! I need to talk to PEOPLE!! I don't tell you how many times I've needed something FAST and a stupid MACHINE picks up.

"Press 1 if you want me to stall for a little longer so that we can get more money from you."

"Press 7 if English is your native language."

"Press 9 if you want to skip this bull crap and get to the real stuff."

I only wish they said that last quote.

The Heimlich Counter-Maneuver