Real Agent Cases

Book a restaurant reservation with ChatGPT agent (failure case)

Source date:
Last verified:
Method:
How we verify

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

FailureThe source says the agent did not get the job done.

What went wrong: Took about 5 minutes just to reach the booking page, then handed it back; the poster called it a waste of time.

Outcome

ChatGPT agent took about 5 minutes just to reach the reservation page, then handed back; the poster called it a waste of time.

Agent

ChatGPT agent

Prompt Improved prompt

Improved prompt: strengthened by us to avoid the problem in the source. Not tested by the poster. It doesn't change what happened in the source.

Not sure how to start? Tell me what you're trying to get done and I'll help you turn it into a clear request.

Goal: Book a restaurant table for me as quickly as possible.

Quick check first: Which restaurant (or area and cuisine), what date and time, and how many people?

What I need from you:
- Restaurant name or [AREA + CUISINE]
- Date, time and party size
- Name, phone and any dietary needs for the booking

Rules:
- Go straight to the restaurant's booking page or a booking site like OpenTable or Resy. Don't browse around.
- If you haven't reached a booking page within 3 minutes, stop and send me the best direct booking link instead.
- If my time isn't available, offer the two closest times before booking.
- If it asks for a card, a login or a deposit, stop and hand it to me.
- Confirm the booking only with the details I gave.

Output: A confirmed booking (name, date, time, party size, confirmation number) or a direct booking link with the times available.

If any of this is unclear, tell me what you have and I'll help fill the gaps.

You'll know it worked when: you have a booking, or a one-tap link, within a few minutes.
What the poster tried (recreated by us)

The source didn't publish its exact prompt; this is our reconstruction of what was asked.

Book a restaurant reservation for me.

Source

https://x.com/AnthonyShoosh/status/1951524727605837921

By Anthony Shoosh (@AnthonyShoosh) · Published Aug 2, 2025 · Added Oct 15, 2026 · Last verified Oct 15, 2026

Related cases