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Online Takeout Delivery is Back
prostoalex writes "It's like watching e-Dreams and re-living the Kozmo.com experience, only this time it's for real, the New York Times says. SeamlessWeb is here (or rather, in New York, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles and southern Connecticut) to take your take-out orders and deliver the food. All is done via their Web site so no need to look for that takeout menu: "SeamlessWeb charges restaurants a commission of 5 percent to 15 percent, while the business pays a 2.5 percent fee for each transaction. The process for consumers will work much the same, except they will be charged no service fee.""
before the Food Network took over (bought?) the domain. Also, Waiters on Wheels. They fill a niche market.
My experience has been that ordering from a restaraunt that doesn't normally handle takeout will be a hit or miss affair as to whether or not you will be satisfied with what gets delivered.
"I'd rather be a lightning rod than a seismometer." -Ken Kesey
I've been using http://www.takeouttaxi.com/ for quite a while now.
pooptruck
Is this different than Restaurants on the Go here in Toronto? I can order online (or via the phone) from a rather large list of restaurants and have it delivered to my door. Sure, there's a delivery fee, but one might expect that.
- In hell, treason is the work of angels.
What you're missing is that these guys act as a go-between for a large number of takeout restaurants. It effectively gives you up to date access to all takeout menus for all your local restaurants from one central site.
Frankly it's a brilliant idea.
It is NOT free. They simply bury the charge in the price that you pay.
I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.
SeamlessWeb is here (or rather, in New York, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles and southern Connecticut)
I just went to their site and it says New York only. Other cities "coming soon."
Uhhhh... great article.
Ironically, the word ironically is often used incorrectly.
It's "free" in the sense that if you actually go to the restaurant you'll pay the same price for the food. The restaurant is willing to eat the delivery charge (no pun intended) in exchange for the opportunity to do business with someone who doesn't feel like dining out, but doesn't feel like cooking, either. The delivery service charge incurred by the restaurant, OTOH, is somewhat offset by the fact that it didn't have to pay any waitstaff. My fiance used to work for our local delivery company (Dine In) and explained the process.
Bill Clinton: Pimp we can believe in. - The Shirt!!!
I've been using Quikorder for my dominos pizza (yes i have a thing for pre-made cheap pizza delivered fast =) for about 5 years now. Even has ICQ message alert, online order history, and good coupon deals.