As many of you are well aware several restaurant chains have Ziosk devices on their tables.
I have to say I am not a fan. I don’t want to play a game if I am with someone. I like to have wait staff employed at restaurants and places I frequent. Also, most of the time it appears that they have never wiped off, when I have to move one I feel the need to rewash my hands…
Now I have heard stories that the tip calculators have been tampered with; so if you wanted to give a 20% tip you should run the numbers through your head just to ensure the calculator is correct. I have not seen one off myself, but someone I trust has seen it, so it has been done.
I am mistrustful of them because it seems as if it would be incredibly easy to add a credit card cloner or skimmer to the device. If they were not easily noticed at Target or gas stations, why not on a device that you have time to play with to ensure the job looks unnoticeable?
But probably the main reason I don’t like them is that they are kid bait. The colors and images are designed to have a child grab it and touch the buttons before a parent would be able to stop them. Yes, it is only $1.99, but in my mind the idea behind it is slimy and boarder line unethical. Unless the parents indulge the child(ren).