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zatkin
Too bad I'll never be able to use Magic (for free) since I'm 33,037th in line to get access to the service.
frik
There is only a non specific fee on every bought product, the full price (without details) is mentioned upfront though.

I am in the queue behind you (at 45,xxx afaik).

frik
It looks like magic, but I heard it's not AI but human manpower that powers Magic.

How does Magic scale? How many human employees do work behind the scenes? (5, 20, 50)

noblethrasher
“Do things that don't scale”

http://paulgraham.com/ds.html

nestlequ1k
"Use services that don't scale" --no one
EugeneOZ
Well, in reality a lot of food delivery services are being served by people, who answer phone calls. Not very scalable way, but it works :)
noblethrasher
People who want robust customer support will use a service that doesn't scale. This includes people like my parents or your first N users.
frik
I know. It still seems very time consuming and intense even for two founders until you raise money. You need a few fellows that help you out answering requests even if you start only with like 100 people (with the rest on a queue).

Can someone share his experience in such a kind of startup?

bhayden
I believe Magic already got funding. Only took a few weeks if I remember correctly.
spdub
This is what things like Mechanical Turk _can_ help with (https://www.mturk.com/mturk/welcome) point them to a few local restaurants and let the turker's vote on what they feel to be the best option. Human computing power is a thing.
planetjones
$20.11 for a box of vegetarian chow mein. Are magic adding a massive premium to the prices or is the restaurant they chose expensive?
M4v3R
Probably both, they definitely add a service fee on top of the retail price.