Dialog with a robot
So I ordered one of these yesterday…
…and got a notice that said,
That was to my building in Manhattan.
I’m on the third floor, so I went down to the front, and saw it wasn’t there. Since the chance that an Amazon package sitting in front of a Manhattan building’s front door will not be stolen is above zero, I wanted to know if I should be worried. So I went to Amazon’s Contact Us page and got this:
Then, after I clicked on the big yellow button, a dialog ensued :
Hi! It’s Amazon’s messaging assistant again.
Amazon eero mesh WiFi system – 2 packIs this what you need help with?
12:49 PM
Yes, that’s it12:50 PM
Messaging Assistant | Customer Service
Looks like this item was delivered on Tuesday, Jun 22.Could you confirm what went wrong, so I can help?12:50 PM
Didn’t get it12:50 PM
Messaging Assistant | Customer Service
Sorry to hear that. Tell me a little more about what happened.12:50 PM
Package never arrived12:50 PM
Messaging Assistant | Customer Service
OK, looks like the delivery status may have been updated too soon.The good news is it should arrive soon. Give us until end of day Wednesday, Jun 23.Really appreciate your patience with this. Is there anything else I can help with?12:50 PM
No, that’s all12:50 PM
Messaging Assistant | Customer Service
Thanks for choosing Amazon. I’m here to help whenever you have an issue.12:50 PM
Messaging Assistant has left. Thanks for contacting Amazon!
This kind of thing has happened before; not just with Amazon, and not just here. In fact, it has happened enough times for me to wonder whether there is a method to the madness.
I mean, is “the delivery status may have been updated too soon” an occurrence that’s common for a reason? Also, might that reason be technical, human, neither or both?
To be fair, this is not a big deal. Progress is how the miraculous becomes mundane, and this is a good example of it the mundane miraculous at work. “No sooner said than shipped” is the new norm. So are conversations with robots.
I’d love it if one could give me answers below, but that feature isn’t working right now. So feel free to tweet yours or something. Thanks!
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