I've used the TalkTo mobile app on occasion for the past year. I avoid phone calls whenever I can, especially those involving companies. Simply search for a business (e.g. Starbucks on 2nd and Mission) and enter your question. TalkTo calls them on your behalf and returns their answer via text within 5-10 minutes.
Awesome service but I'm skeptical how engaged their users are. Rarely do I have to call a business so I only use the app a few times a month at most. I might not be the target audience though.
TalkTo just announced their "Fast Track" premium plan. They're essentially taking away features that used to be free. Dangerous. Paste from the email below:
We're excited to introduce TalkTo’s optional premium service -- Fast Track, a monthly subscription for $4.99 that ensures your questions get answered first.
You can continue to use TalkTo for free to ask any merchant in the US and Canada about pricing and availability, but reservations, appointments and takeout will only be available to users on the Fast Track plan starting next month. You’ve told us takeout needs to be super fast, and reservations and appointments often require additional back and forth calls to get it right, so they require a lot of our time.
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