Add your feedback on energy supplier Tonik

Telegraph_Sam

I need to correct what I said previously re D/D safeguards: The reclaim facility applies only if the supplier "makes a mistake" in his debit. If there is just a disagreement over the amount, the reclaim procedure does not apply. The condition is however that the supplier is obliged to give advance notice of what they intend to charge, if they do not then you can reclaim. This just leaves the option of cancelling the D/D set-up (as I did) before the payment is taken as the last line of defence - before involving the  Ombudsman & co.

Mabel2012

Gerry1 said:

They can stop you leaving, but only if it's your fault.  If they haven't billed you or have failed to collect the DD then it's their fault.

The have failed miserably on the billing front but have never failed to deduct the direct debit. In fact they are so keen to get my money they tried to almost double the DD.

Mabel2012

Telegraph_Sam

Thanks for clarifying the direct debit guarantee safeguard.

When I cancelled the DD earlier this year and was told I would be put on a non DD, variable tariff I was worried that being put on a new tariff would mean I would also have to pay exit fees. I caved & reinstated the DD. I just hope they bring my billing up to date now the ombudsman is involved.

Telegraph_Sam

I cancelled and later reinstated my D/D when things normalised and was none the worse for it. 
Logical next thought:
Who, if any, of our readers has actually been on the receiving end of a debt collection agency under the patronage of T?  What are the ground rules according to which these folk operate? Can anyone just ring up a dca and chase up anyone else for an (imaginary or artificial) bill which if unpaid automatically goes against the debtor's credit rating?  I find this very hard to believe, Much more likely that T use just the threat of dca's as a means of getting compliance. If in fact the account is not in debt (or even if it is but by a reasonable amount) what grounds has a dca for taking action? And final question: What is to stop a long-suffering T customer from sending in the dca heavies to the T offices in B'ham demanding settlement of what T owes him (or her)???
Hopefully someone with knowledge of consumer legalities can clue me up on this.

Telegraph_Sam

Those threatened with T's debt collection agents may find the following helpful
https://www.mycreditcontrollers.co.uk/Articles/debt-collector-my-rights.html#:~:text=The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA,or threaten to do so.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/action-your-creditor-can-take/harassment-by-creditors/

Mabel2012

I once rented a flat in a house where the landlord went into mortgage arrears. The mortgage company repossessed the house and I and another tenant arrived home from work to face a repossession notice on the door and the locks changed. That was my only near brush with debt collectors or bailiffs.

The debt collection agency may get to the T HQ and find most of the assets have gone.

If a company owes a customer money and does not refund it in a reasonable time, perhaps they could claim in the small claims court. Of course you would have to prove the amount owed and it's impossible to do that if the billing is not up to date,

Imagine talking about an energy supplier in terms of the customer resorting to court or debt collection,

Switching is easy, after that the hard work begins.

Telegraph_Sam

"Imagine talking about an energy supplier in terms of the customer resorting to court or debt collection,"
That was precisely what my imagination was doing.  Might come as a bit of a reality check / wake-up call to T to have the tables turned.

inspectorperez

I'm now totally convinced that Tonik Energy are a "fly by night" company despite their superficial green credentials.

No self respecting director of a registered limited company would allow the sort of accusations which are reported on Trustpilot and other social media to go unchallenged.

I suspect their business plan was well conceived and they had the right experience on board at the outset. Since their doomed IT platform change in December 2019 and the departure of 2 experienced senior directors who have not been replaced, the remaining Board have neither the ability or the moral backbone to do the right thing and seek professioanl help!

Pure speculation - but let's see!

mfe0807

Is Tonik still in business.  I’ve not received any statements or meter reading requests since July however they are still taking my direct debit payment each month!  I tried calling two weeks ago and was told my statement was being approved and I should receive it in a few days - still nothing!  In August I re-signed up for another 12 months - should I cancel this?  Does anyone know what is going on with Tonik Energy?

mfe0807

Is Tonik still in business.  I’ve not received any statements or meter reading requests since July however they are still taking my direct debit payment each month!  I tried calling two weeks ago and was told my statement was being approved and I should receive it in a few days - still nothing!  In August I re-signed up for another 12 months - should I cancel this?  Does anyone know what is going on with Tonik Energy?