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

crumpet_man

Prices quoted on Tomato website when I used it included VAT, I've not checked since.

My contract received via email and also viewable on mywatts shows without VAT but is worded to indicate that VAT is included.

Mywatts usage/cost "estimate" shows without VAT but the time of use graph shows with VAT.

Bill breakdown shows price without VAT which matches mywatts and then adds 5% VAT for the final amount to be paid.

Newbie_John

Qyburn said:

It's academic at the moment as I couldn't switch until our meter is fixed. But how do people feel about signing up on false pretences? I'm specifically thinking about solar panels, where if you admit that you have them then all the prices go up.  Aside from ethics and legality, the fact that you have an export MPAN would be a bit of a give away if they are ever minded to check.

They don't go into detail but their terms and conditions have a general clause that might well apply ..

"12.4 We can choose to terminate this Supply Contract if:

...

12.4.7 We discover that You have provided Us with false information."

I honestly think that 95% of people don't provide the correct information either by mistake (that section with question is well hidden) or on purpose (to get better tarrif).
Would they risk losing all customers? No, hence I assume it's just a suggestion rather than requirement (like with Octopus - who actualy check if you have EV, heat pump etc.)

Also, none of the EV/battery/solar has a definition - I have a kids version of EV, solar lamps in a garden and who doesn't have a single rechargable batterry at home? Working patterns can change, so if I switch from working from home to 9-5 do I have to change tarriff? 

Also the section is called "

Improve your tariff

Answer these questions and we will design a tariff around your lifestyle."

Improve - so by not answering - you just not improving and are happy with vanilla version..

Anyway, I do see it as pick and choose really.

crumpet_man

I concur, the lifestyle tariff is for the customer to choose which option suits them best given the suggestions provided by Tomato.  There is nothing in the contract or agreement stating that you must have an EV or batteries etc.

masonic

masonic said:

I'm not sure if I'll take the plunge yet, but it is looking tempting.

It didn't take me long to pluck up courage to pull the plug on Octopus Tracker and join vanilla Lifestyle, starting Tuesday. FWIW I didn't provide them with any false information, just declined to tell them about my lifestyle, though none of their options applied to me exactly

Quick question: In the contract pdf it mentions something about them requesting a meter reading in a few days time. Did others with smart meters submit a manual read, or just let them collect one from the meter?

tlcgrantham

On signing up by phone I specifically asked if I could choose which Lifestyle tariff I prefer and was told I could and even have the EV version though I don’t have an EV.

Newbie_John

masonic said:

masonic said:

I'm not sure if I'll take the plunge yet, but it is looking tempting.

It didn't take me long to pluck up courage to pull the plug on Octopus Tracker and join vanilla Lifestyle, starting Tuesday. FWIW I didn't provide them with any false information, just declined to tell them about my lifestyle, though none of their options applied to me exactly

Quick question: In the contract pdf it mentions something about them requesting a meter reading in a few days time. Did others with smart meters submit a manual read, or just let them collect one from the meter?

Yes, it says to enter on myWatts website but didn't work for me. I've emailed them to customer.care@tomato.energy they replied saying thank you. Since then all smooth. I haven't provided Octopus with my final readings and still waiting for September bill - they have all my data but the final day is missing.. - anyway, after 6 weeks Octopus will give you £30 credit for late bill 😂

masonic

Newbie_John said:

masonic said:

masonic said:

I'm not sure if I'll take the plunge yet, but it is looking tempting.

It didn't take me long to pluck up courage to pull the plug on Octopus Tracker and join vanilla Lifestyle, starting Tuesday. FWIW I didn't provide them with any false information, just declined to tell them about my lifestyle, though none of their options applied to me exactly

Quick question: In the contract pdf it mentions something about them requesting a meter reading in a few days time. Did others with smart meters submit a manual read, or just let them collect one from the meter?

Yes, it says to enter on myWatts website but didn't work for me. I've emailed them to customer.care@tomato.energy they replied saying thank you. Since then all smooth. I haven't provided Octopus with my final readings and still waiting for September bill - they have all my data but the final day is missing.. - anyway, after 6 weeks Octopus will give you £30 credit for late bill 😂

Thanks, I have the added complexity of having moved from an E7 profile to single rate, but having a non-zero second meter register. Octopus have been ignoring the second register and just using the first for billing. But I may need to provide Tomato with both. Perhaps it would be safest to email them.

lohr500

masonic said:

Thanks, I have the added complexity of having moved from an E7 profile to single rate, but having a non-zero second meter register. Octopus have been ignoring the second register and just using the first for billing. But I may need to provide Tomato with both. Perhaps it would be safest to email them.

From my past experience, TE aren't good at answering emails. I would call them initially to discuss.

Newbie_John

Yeah I also have E7 (SMET2 configured that way) and sent them readings for both as well as photos.

I think they prioritise emails and the readings emails are read quickly. Email, wait 5 days and if no response - give them a call (here also mixed messages, some ppl get through quickly some wait long long time).

alinwales

lohr500 said:

alinwales said:

Just signed up for lifestyle (no additional options set), and immediately have access to mywatts website. I really hope that the visibility of my export MPAN there doesn't affect my SEG with Scottish power!

Looks like a very good tariff, low SC, some hours overnight to charge the battery and do the laundry, and a couple of cheaper hours in the evening to shower! let's hope the transfer goes smoothly!

There have been a few discussions over on the TE Users Group Facebook forum regarding export tariffs.

I haven't been following the detail closely, but as I understand it, the latest TE T&Cs require you to switch your Export tariff when you take up their import tariff.

Apparently once switched you can then opt to move the export away from TE, but concerns have been expressed that this may result in the loss of the lucrative SEG rates. 

Can you see anything in the T&Cs they sent you regarding export tariffs?    

EDIT :

Apologies, I am confusing SEG with FIT export rates. The primary concern arises from those with legacy FIT rates and the fact that they may lose the FIT rate when TE automatically switch the Export MPAN across at the same time as the Import. But I guess it could also impact the rate you have with Scottish Power, if TE switch your export an then you have to then move your export back to SP

Thanks appreciate the response. The 'open' FB group I can't see anything, so I guess you're talking about a closed one? i guess I'll have to dip my toes in there...

As for T&Cs, the one I had emailed only references 'Supply' and 'your supply contract with us'.

The emailed electricity contract only details the supply tariff.

The emailed tariff information doc is a general doc covering all tariffs (import/ and export), and there is no mention of transferring the export within any of the Supply tariff information. There is a reference to the 'your export will transfer to us when you sign up for a tariff'. This wouldn't be seen by anyone assuming that they only need to read the information relevant to the Supply tariff they have signed up for.

I don't think this is clear enough, and as they have both dynamic and fixed export rates available then surely I would have had to select one? 

Worst case is that I have to transfer Export back to SP - there's no issue for me as I'm on their standard 12p - apart from the inevitable hassle.

Worst worst case is sticking with Tomato - the saving on supply makes up for the export (we only have a 2.4kwp system so not a huge moneymaker).

Certainly worth highlighting for anyone intending to sign up with export capability.