Frequently Asked Questions

Basics

Is Magic a bot or AI?

No, Magic is not AI. Each task is handled by a trained personal assistant.

We have in-house software to help our assistants efficiently complete tasks, store and remember your preferences, and make sure no task is dropped or promise goes unfulfilled.

Where is Magic located?

Our headquarters is located in San Francisco, California.

How long does Magic typically spend on a task?

On average, for a client's first task, Magic typically spends about one hour.

However, the time spent will completely depend on the task and how well Magic knows you. We get more efficient over time, as we get to know you better and learn your preferences.

I'm not in a major city. Will Magic work in my location?

You can text us anywhere in the world, and we will get to work.

Note that Magic does not have its own drivers or couriers. We use the same third-party vendors and services you use.

If something needs to be done physically, and no service exists in your area, then unfortunately in that circumstance there is nothing we can do. (For example, if you want Vietnamese food for dinner, and there are no Vietnamese restaurants within a 200-mile radius from you.)

I'm traveling. Can I use Magic internationally?

Yes! Magic works for you anywhere in the world. Once you have access to Magic, you’ll have access to our international number.

Please be aware that all of our assistants speak English. Certain tasks may be significantly harder to fulfill in countries where English is not the native language.

I don't always have access to SMS. Do you have an app I can use?

Yes, you can download our iOS app here

Is my information secure?

Yes. Magic considers all information related to your account as private and takes significant measures to protect it.

We have a multi-tiered approach to security, including IP restrictions, screen monitoring software, and the encryption of secure information. All employees handling client information sign non-disclosure agreements and are trained in data security.

Can I email Magic my task instead?

Yes, you can! We give you a special, personalized email address to use after you sign up.

I just signed up! What can I expect next?

You will receive a text message from 83489 or +1 (408) 217-1721. If you do not receive a message, email us at [email protected].

Tasks

What kinds of things can I use Magic for?

Anything you want. As long as it’s not illegal. Seriously.

Here are some real examples of tasks people have put into Magic:

"Get me a mobile dentist to my office ASAP."
"I need to rent out the Exploratorium this weekend."
"I need to rent a car for Yosemite."
"Organize my team for a town hall tomorrow."
"I need a Snapchat filter created for my sister's wedding."
"My 1 pm ran over. Bump my meetings back 1 hour."
"I am low on shampoo and conditioner. Can you order it for me? No rush."
"I’m out of the office today. Check my email and let me know if there’s anything urgent."

Think of Magic as your new personal assistant. Your assistant is willing to work on just about anything. It's up to you to decide what you want to delegate.

What happens if Magic doesn't get me what I want?

Sometimes, due to factors beyond our control, no services being available in your area, or human error on our end, we may not be able to get you what you want.

If this happens, we will apologize and immediately search for the best path forward. This often means hunting for the most relevant alternative as a replacement.

If at any point you want us to stop working on your task, just text "close task."

How do I return an item I purchased through Magic?

We will attempt to get a refund from the vendor that sold the item. Refund policies vary. Any funds that are returned to Magic will be passed onto you on the card you used for the original purchase.

Your Assistants

Who are my assistants?

Powering Magic is a team of highly-trained human assistants, operating 24/7, 365 days a year. Our assistants are creative, full-time employees who love working at Magic. The vast majority of our assistants are college graduates from top schools.

Our assistants have great jobs with a high potential for growth. We have a custom hiring and training program to ensure a high standard of quality and a fun office culture so the people working for you enjoy their work.

Can I use Magic as a full-time or part-time employee on a specific task?

If you send us a task that requires a specialized set of knowledge (such as bookkeeping or graphic design), or anything involving regular full-time or part-time work, we will look to hire an employee or contractor for you.

Magic itself is a connector to services and professionals. Our assistants themselves will not do the actual bookkeeping, graphic design, etc.

This is for a number of reasons. The main reason is that finding a professional for you will produce a better result. Magic's assistants are trained to be generalists and to connect you with other professionals.

Can my assistant get on the phone and talk to me?

No, we do not support this feature at this time.

We do offer phone calls with an account manager for our business clients.

Can Magic work with my project management tools or other specialized software?

While we do not offer specific training for specialized software, our Magicians are more than happy to assist if you are able to provide instruction.

Making Purchases

How do I pay for goods and services through Magic?

Magic pays for the cost of goods and services on your behalf, and we charge your credit card on file.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept most credit cards and payments via ACH. If you would like to make an ACH payment, simply tell Magic you prefer to pay by ACH. To pay with ACH, we still require an active credit card on file, which we will authorize until ACH payments are confirmed.

Can I pay directly for the cost of goods instead of being charged by Magic?

Sure! If you ever prefer to pay the vendor or service directly, please let us know. We will tell them to contact you and ask for payment, or have them invoice you directly.

What we cannot do is use your own credit card ourselves to make a payment. This is for your security. We do not have access to your full credit card information. That information is stored securely by Stripe, our payment processor.

This is why when we purchase things on your behalf, we pay for it using our own credit card. We then, using Stripe, charge your card the same amount plus a processing fee (2.4% + $0.30) to be reimbursed the cost.

Do you add a markup to purchases made through Magic?

No. There is no markup on the purchases you make through Magic. You are charged the exact cost of the items plus a credit card processing fee (2.4% + $0.30).

Magic will always confirm the total cost of goods and ETA provided by the vendor before moving forward with your task.

Billing and Usage

How do I view all of my charges and usage history?

For a full usage history, email [email protected]

How do I change my card on file?

Add a card by visiting your profile page and adding a new credit card. Let Magic know by text that you would like to change your active credit card to the new card added.

I would like to charge my Magic time costs and costs of goods to different cards. Can you do that?

Yes, please text Magic and let us know which cards to charge, and we will update your payment information.

How do I get a receipt?

We will provide you a receipt whenever you need one. Text in the receipts you would like, and we will email you a copy. You can also email us and ask at [email protected]

I have questions or concerns about a specific bill.

Please email your questions to [email protected].