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

lohr500

Gerry1 said:

If only there were some agency to make sure that suppliers were competent and knew what they were doing...

I rather suspect "some agency" will soon be inundated with complaints once the first round of billing hits customers inboxes!!!

PennineAcute

lohr500 said:

Gerry1 said:

If only there were some agency to make sure that suppliers were competent and knew what they were doing...

I rather suspect "some agency" will soon be inundated with complaints once the first round of billing hits customers inboxes!!!

But wouldn't that agency also need to be competent! 

MP1995

They are already under investigation since December.

Still looking on from a safe distance ready to pay any extra 5p a day on my SC for those that have taken the risk.

debitcardmayhem

Perhaps the new government will commission a new agency let’s call it OfOf.. which is responsible for all other Of…s making sure that they are fit for purpose, and that they are given a proper remit. 
No… didn’t think so🤣

wrf12345

The current agency has tripled its employee count in the last few years (no doubt, a tiny amount added to the s/c to pay for that)...

Mike360

lohr500 said:

wrf12345 said:

Do they allow variable direct debit or have they done a British Gas and disabled it?

A few days prior to me switching, they had an explanation on their website as to how the billing worked. But it subsequently disappeared.

As far as I can recall It went along the lines of taking a DD at the start of each month based on an estimate of the likely usage for the month. Then generating a new usage estimate at the start of the following month, adjusted up or down to account for any refund or extra payment due from the difference between actual and estimated in the previous month.

The principle being they never build up a massive credit on the account. 

I suppose they could vastly overestimate the months usage and so take an unreasonably large DD at the start of the month.

But the billing process description has now disappeared.

The standard T&Cs I received talks about setting up a fixed DD based on estimated use with a 6 monthly review of the DD amount.

 11.13 The method of payment will be standard monthly direct debit (unless otherwise agreed with Us) and You are responsible for ensuring that the direct debit can be paid in full on the due date. If You are struggling to pay, We may install a Smart Meter (which We can switch into prepayment mode) or switch Your existing Smart Meter into prepayment mode. This would require You to top up credit to pay for Your supply in advance and may cost more per unit of electricity consumed. When paying by direct debit: 11.13.1 You should keep Your account in credit and We will track and carry the balance forward to the next month's Bill; 11.13.2 We typically set Your direct debit amount based on the amount of electricity We think You'll use across a year divided by twelve; 11.13.3 We aim to review Your direct debit at least twice a year and can offer to reduce Your direct debit if it's too high based on actual meter readings or We can increase Your direct debit if it is too low to help You avoid building up debt; 11.13.4 We will notify You at least 5 Working days before the direct debit is due to come out of Your account; 11.13.5 If Your direct debit fails due to insufficient funds, We will let You know and re-present the automated instruction within 5 Working days; and 11.13.6 Your direct debit amount will be shown on Your statement, and You should contact Us if You believe Your bill is incorrect.

I think this is yet another example of them making it up as they go along!!!

To date, I don't think anyone on the new Lifestyle Tariff has been hit with a DD or received a bill, so perhaps it will become clearer how it all works once the first billing cycle kicks in.

I got the same T&Cs when I signed up for the Prime tariff. I rang them up to say I signed up for variable direct debit and that is my preferred way of paying and told them about this other method under section 11 talking about building up credit which isn't what I am after. The person checked the system to confirm my account was setup for variable direct debit payments and I was told it is.

coupleuk

It's now been 2 weeks since our switch.

Tomato have just agreed meter reads with Octopus and I've had final bills from them (£500 credit to be refunded).

Unfortunately Tomato just aren't "getting it" with regard the fact I signed up 2 meters with 2 very similar (but separate) addresses.

Firstly they allocated both meters to one property and then they changed both to the other address. 

Emails have been going back and forth.

No actual usage showing on MyWatts yet.

I'm sure they will get there but for many it will be far too "uncomfortable" for them.

MP1995

coupleuk said:

It's now been 2 weeks since our switch.

Tomato have just agreed meter reads with Octopus and I've had final bills from them (£500 credit to be refunded).

Unfortunately Tomato just aren't "getting it" with regard the fact I signed up 2 meters with 2 very similar (but separate) addresses.

Firstly they allocated both meters to one property and then they changed both to the other address. 

Emails have been going back and forth.

No actual usage showing on MyWatts yet.

I'm sure they will get there but for many it will be far too "uncomfortable" for them.

I suspect many other suppliers woukd have done something equally stupid.

Personally I would have done one at a time once you knew the first was complete.

Marmaduke123

I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole! Apart from the many issues described in this thread two most unprepossessing sales people for Tomato Energy were  knocking doors in my road yesterday. I haven't seen door to door energy sales people for quite a few years.

MP1995

Marmaduke123 said:

I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole! Apart from the many issues described in this thread two most unprepossessing sales people for Tomato Energy were  knocking doors in my road yesterday. I haven't seen door to door energy sales people for quite a few years.

Covid put an end to them for a while.

We have had a couple since then and not tomato.