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

Qyburn

coupleuk said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Do a Quote Request with Tomato and tell it you have a storage battery - your standing charge will come down to 40p

A user may have a battery but the charge from utility company not required as the solar panels do it.

Or, the user may be planning a battery installation

If you say you have solar panels they charge higher import rates.

lohr500

MP1995 said:

lohr500 said:

MP1995 said:

Do they allow whole bill monthly variable Direct Debit?

Their billing arrangements are explained on their website.

I was looking for a yes or no from those that are with tomato and have set it up and any pitfalls or if its not possible.(I couldn't find it easily on the website hence asking, probably just me)

This thread is all about tomato so thought it was a valid question I and others might want to know and any pitfalls setting it up with them if they do offer it.

I see this thread as a go to for future potential customers and they can read about the good and the bad.

I am running the numbers for out heatpump and 4kwh battery storage/solar project (not connected to house but used to run the tumble dryer, gym and office heat and outside cooking etc.)

We pay variable DD either Octopus but that has recently failed they don't take any money or bill at the moment so something has gone wrong so any responses form others that have been with them for a while woukd be handy.

Apologies for my reply. 

On Wednesday there was a section on the TE website which clearly explained how their billing operated with a worked example. But on checking this morning they have changed some of the website pages and that guide to billing is no longer available.

In essence, from what I can remember, they take a DD at the start of the month for the estimated use based on your historic consumption. Then at the end of the month they issue a credit back to the DD source if you have used less than the estimate for the month. If you have used more than the estimate then they roll that forward and add it to the estimated DD for the following month.

At least I think that's what it said! So you should never end up with the high credit or debit balance that can occur with fixed monthly DD.

MP1995

lohr500 said:

MP1995 said:

lohr500 said:

MP1995 said:

Do they allow whole bill monthly variable Direct Debit?

Their billing arrangements are explained on their website.

I was looking for a yes or no from those that are with tomato and have set it up and any pitfalls or if its not possible.(I couldn't find it easily on the website hence asking, probably just me)

This thread is all about tomato so thought it was a valid question I and others might want to know and any pitfalls setting it up with them if they do offer it.

I see this thread as a go to for future potential customers and they can read about the good and the bad.

I am running the numbers for out heatpump and 4kwh battery storage/solar project (not connected to house but used to run the tumble dryer, gym and office heat and outside cooking etc.)

We pay variable DD either Octopus but that has recently failed they don't take any money or bill at the moment so something has gone wrong so any responses form others that have been with them for a while woukd be handy.

Apologies for my reply. 

On Wednesday there was a section on the TE website which clearly explained how their billing operated with a worked example. But on checking this morning they have changed some of the website pages and that guide to billing is no longer available.

In essence, from what I can remember, they take a DD at the start of the month for the estimated use based on your historic consumption. Then at the end of the month they issue a credit back to the DD source if you have used less than the estimate for the month. If you have used more than the estimate then they roll that forward and add it to the estimated DD for the following month.

At least I think that's what it said! So you should never end up with the high credit or debit balance that can occur with fixed monthly DD.

Thankyou I thought I was missing the obvious, not unusual for myself  

Gerry1

lohr500 said:

MP1995 said:

lohr500 said:

MP1995 said:

Do they allow whole bill monthly variable Direct Debit?

Their billing arrangements are explained on their website.

I was looking for a yes or no from those that are with tomato and have set it up and any pitfalls or if its not possible.(I couldn't find it easily on the website hence asking, probably just me)

This thread is all about tomato so thought it was a valid question I and others might want to know and any pitfalls setting it up with them if they do offer it.

I see this thread as a go to for future potential customers and they can read about the good and the bad.

I am running the numbers for out heatpump and 4kwh battery storage/solar project (not connected to house but used to run the tumble dryer, gym and office heat and outside cooking etc.)

We pay variable DD either Octopus but that has recently failed they don't take any money or bill at the moment so something has gone wrong so any responses form others that have been with them for a while woukd be handy.

In essence, from what I can remember, they take a DD at the start of the month for the estimated use based on your historic consumption. Then at the end of the month they issue a credit back to the DD source if you have used less than the estimate for the month. If you have used more than the estimate then they roll that forward and add it to the estimated DD for the following month.

Sounds like Symbio 2.0 !

They were terribly cheap.  Or rather, absolutely terrible but very cheap.

MP1995

So with the possibility of failure  maybe some top tips

1) documented start and regular meter readings (pictures and dates)
2) save off all your ekectronic bills and keep them safe
3) pray you are those forging the way for others and being brave like those first people that tried Octoous tracker.

coupleuk

Progress from anyone who moved last week?

withaspritz

Following this closely.  We have an EV currently on Eon Next but Tomato is much much cheaper.

I read about an Agreed Usage amount in the fine print for tomato, and that if you exceed that amount they can charge you more. Anyone know how this Agreed Usage amount is decided?

BarelySentientAI

withaspritz said:

Following this closely.  We have an EV currently on Eon Next but Tomato is much much cheaper.

I read about an Agreed Usage amount in the fine print for tomato, and that if you exceed that amount they can charge you more. Anyone know how this Agreed Usage amount is decided?

The estimated consumption on the quote.

Qyburn

Nice to see a supplier appearing to take a firm view on metering ..

"8.4    If You do not have a Smart Meter at Your Premises, We may install one for You. We will arrange an appointment with You for installation. If You repeatedly refuse to allow Us to install a Smart Meter, We may terminate Your Supply Contract immediately."

withaspritz

BarelySentientAI said:

withaspritz said:

Following this closely.  We have an EV currently on Eon Next but Tomato is much much cheaper.

I read about an Agreed Usage amount in the fine print for tomato, and that if you exceed that amount they can charge you more. Anyone know how this Agreed Usage amount is decided?

The estimated consumption on the quote.

From their terms:

5.5 In the event that You exceed the Agreed Usage at any Nominated Electricity Supply

Point, You shall pay to Us any costs (including but not limited to additional use of

system charges), losses or expenses incurred by Us for the provision of, and as a

result of, that excess.

So if you use more than the estimated usage, they reserve the right to charge excessive costs on top of the bill

Sounds bonkers. Is it a fixed or variable tariff?

If wholesale rate is say 15p overnight (like last night according to Octopus Agile prices) and I use more than my estimate charging at 5p, will they then apply a 10p expenses incurred charge to each unit over the estimated usage?  What if I get a new EV with a larger battery, or decide to put the dishwasher on overnight too

Can I request to set my estimated usage really high to avoid this?

Seems a bit dodgy to me?