Tomato Energy (Electric Only Supplier) - Too Good To Be True ?

Newbie_John

So I guess they stopped new customers to fix the sign up problems as they realised they have to pay £40 compensation, and they actually paying it out (hukd example):

bob2302

Newbie_John said:

So I guess they stopped new customers to fix the sign up problems as they realised they have to pay £40 compensation, and they actually paying it out (hukd example):

What does hudk mean?

bristolleedsfan

bob2302 said:

Newbie_John said:

So I guess they stopped new customers to fix the sign up problems as they realised they have to pay £40 compensation, and they actually paying it out (hukd example):

What does hudk mean?

https://www.hotukdeals.com/search/deals?merchant-id=50377

marlot

I had a phone call from Tomato today, just checking that everything was going ok since my transfer about 3 weeks ago.  Nice to have a supplier call me instead of the other way around.

bristolleedsfan

TroubledTarts said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Newbie_John said:

Judging by silence in this topic - lack of new customers has helped a lot 

This is the only thread I follow, my thinking is if TE goes tits up it will be posted on here v quickly hoping giving me enough time to do a switch.

If you don't follow other groups then you might not know that those that have tried to leave Tomato, even before this one month hiatus, have not successfully left them.

Even with notice I don't think it's going to be an easy task.

You do not ever seem to post anything positive from Tomato Facebook Group, for example consumers who emailed SSEN Network MPAS Dept had switch sorted out within 24 hours and back dated to when switch was supposed to have taken place which indicates switch not happening when expected not T.E fault. ( UK Power Networks will not deal with end user)

TroubledTarts

bristolleedsfan said:

TroubledTarts said:

HillStreetBlues said:

Newbie_John said:

Judging by silence in this topic - lack of new customers has helped a lot 

This is the only thread I follow, my thinking is if TE goes tits up it will be posted on here v quickly hoping giving me enough time to do a switch.

If you don't follow other groups then you might not know that those that have tried to leave Tomato, even before this one month hiatus, have not successfully left them.

Even with notice I don't think it's going to be an easy task.

You do not ever seem to post anything positive from Tomato Facebook Group, for example consumers who emailed SSEN Network MPAS Dept had switch sorted out within 24 hours and back dated to when switch was supposed to have taken place which indicates switch not happening when expected not T.E fault. ( UK Power Networks will not deal with end user)

I was simply replying to another forumites message

This is the only thread I follow, my thinking is if TE goes tits up it will be posted on here v quickly hoping giving me enough time to do a switch.

And passing on what I had read on a Facebook group that those with smets1 meters that were not being billed and getting itchy feet were blocked when trying to leave. (Multiple reports and one that says they are still trapped with Tomato since November) edit here to add no reason for those with smets2 meters to try and leave due to the great rates but no one knows if they are stopped form leaving as well.

It was perfectly relevant and something for all to consider if we think we can leave quickly if bad news comes, getting out before SOLR. (Which has been the opinion of myself and others that this is possible without hitch so we don't end up paying the price cap for however many weeks that takes.

I refuse to be blind to what could be going on or what the consequences will be for us should we get stuck waiting for SOLR.

Heres a positive, one of our rental properties is achieving 12-13p kwh per month with the red fruited one.

masonic

It's not part of my planning to avoid the SoLR process, for the reason that if you leave owing money (as you would when billed via variable DD), you are potentially going to have to deal with the administrators rather than another energy supplier for final billing, and this removes some regulatory protections around complaint handling should there be any billing issues. Though there is precedent for the SoLR buying up these debts too and issuing final bills, despite you evading their capture.

For those who do want to try and escape a SoLR transfer, the main point to consider is whether or not anyone would respond quickly enough to lodge an objection to a transfer. There is usually a period immediately after appointment of administrators where priorities lie elsewhere. SoLR is usually advised by Ofgem not to prevent people switching away once they officially become supplier, so the only way they will frustrate the process normally by initiating their claim on the supply, which will then block additional switching requests until it is completed.

TroubledTarts

masonic said:

It's not part of my planning to avoid the SoLR process, for the reason that if you leave owing money (as you would when billed via variable DD), you are potentially going to have to deal with the administrators rather than another energy supplier for final billing, and this removed some regulatory protections around complaint handling. Though there is precedent for the SoLR buying up these debts too and issuing final bills, despite you evading their capture.

For those who do want to try and escape a SoLR transfer, the main point to consider is whether or not anyone would respond quickly enough to lodge an objection to a transfer. There is usually a period immediately after appointment of administrators where priorities lie elsewhere.

It was part of ours after reading on this thread that others had managed to do so with previous failed suppliers.

We just dutifully stayed awaiting SOLR when put supplier failed previoulsy but as it seemed to be "others" plans it seems only right to put some balance that tomato seem to be able to block the move and have already done that. So there is a history of their behavior.

Hopefully we will never find out.

masonic

I'm keen that any and all information gets an airing in this forum. 

Regarding that point, if Tomato fails, then it is a new ball game. Administrators will be calling the shots. Staff will need to wait to find out (a) whether they will be retained in any capacity, and (b) what their new role will be in assisting the wind-up of the firm. Its highly unlikely anyone will be keeping on top of customer activity during those first few days, but there are no guarantees. Though I'm not sure whether a failed supplier is in a position to send the necessary industry communication to object to a switch once their licence has been revoked. What blocks most people is that their transfer to SoLR has already started. If this is done quickly then there may be no window of opportunity after us finding out.

Doc_N

Newbie_John said:

So I guess they stopped new customers to fix the sign up problems as they realised they have to pay £40 compensation, and they actually paying it out (hukd example):

That looks a very plausible theory.