You have to agree that ordering food, be it via phone or the Internet is a pain in the neck.
The number of choices that the food franchises offer already makes it difficult to arrive at a decision; having a stupid person on the other end of the line is the last thing we need as a customer.
Even placing an online order seems daunting when you are hungry. The entire process seems lengthy.
There are many other problems, you as the customer, face when you have to order food virtually –
1. Too Many Options (Franchises)
There are many franchise options
The food industry is a multi-million dollar industry and whichever brand manages to establish itself in the long run definitely deserves applause. Nevertheless, having too many options has also become a problem, as customers take a minimum of half-hour discussion on the franchise.
2. Too Many Options (Food)
Having too many options in food can confuse consumers
Once you settle on the franchise you want to order food from, the trouble escalates to what food you want to eat. Pizza, burger and Chinese food are just some of the many options. You are left spoilt for choice. If you have a friend/colleague, who is lactose intolerant then dairy products are off the list.
3. Dealing with the Telecaller
Dealing with a telecaller who is not versed with the menu is troublesome
You may have noticed that sometimes the person on the other end of the line has no idea about the special offers or discount that their outlet offers. Explaining them the same obviously becomes annoying which leads to more confusion and annoyance for the caller.
4. Online Payment Lost in Server Downtimes
Server downtime result in you losing your money
Servers, being unpredictable, at times result in downtime due to which the online payment you make is lost. “You are a goddamn franchise and supposed to have proper maintenance”, is your thought (which you at times end up yelling at the telecaller).
5. Online and Offline Coupons
Online and offline coupons are different
Franchises distribute coupons, which is one of the most important promotional sources, today. However, they do it online and offline, conditions of which tend to differ from one another at times. You may have seen a coupon online whose terms vary on the print. This could be a good deal for you, but you may actually end up spending more.
6. Unanswered Recipe Questions
Getting vivid insights into contents of meals from a telecaller is difficult
The menu, whether you have it on paper or on the said franchise’s website, does not give out vivid insight into the items’ contents. Hence, you have to ask the telecaller for details, answers of which you may not find because of the person’s lack of knowledge.
7. Food Unavailable
That moment when the meal you want is unavailable
Certain food items run out of stock due to bulk order placement or for other godforsaken reason. Imagine craving a particular item on the menu and the same running out on the same day. Ah…the disappointment!
8. OTP Passwords
One-time passwords take too much time to load
Food franchises offer one-time password that often take a lot of time to load. Once the log-in session expires, you have no option but to get another password. It obviously appears irritating.
9. Internet Convenience Fee
Internet convenience fees make you pay more
Levying Internet convenience fee sounds unfair, but franchise websites do that. You unfortunately end up spending more than you actually have to pay for your meal.
10. Terms and Conditions
No one reads the terms and conditions before ordering food
While placing an order online, it is important to check the terms and conditions section. (No one does this, because who has time; everyone’s hungry). This further adds to the already existing confusion, as you are notified of the same only when the order is delivered by one of their delivery person.
11. Delivery Time
When famished, even half hour delivery time seems longer
Now that the franchise has been chosen and order has been placed, it is only natural for the hunger pangs to elevate. Even half hour seems like two hours when you are at the epitome of hunger. Gathering the ordered items and road traffic are some of the factors that decide your food’s delivery time. Don’t you wish things were a lot simpler in regards with food?
12. Misplaced/Missing Order
A misplaced/missing order can be very annoying
Now this is just plain annoying, and though it may be an honest mistake on the franchise’s part, it cannot be laughed off. A misplaced order or a missing order affects not one but multiple persons, if food is ordered for a group. If the franchise decides to reimburse or replace the missing order, you can add extra duration to your misery.
You may have faced many other issues in regards with ordering food via phone or the Internet. Do let us know your experiences.
