Tomato Energy - Anbody using?

[mk1_man]

Hi,   Just wondering if anybody had switched to the Tomato Energy Lifestyle tariff - 00:00 - 06:00 @ 5p kWh and a couple of cheaper hour during day at 14p  the rest just below capped price.  Seems like a great option if you have some batteries or even if you can batch heat during early hours including the hot water?

[PhilT]

  On 30/11/2024 at 10:36, mk1_man said:

Hi,   Just wondering if anybody had switched to the Tomato Energy Lifestyle tariff - 00:00 - 06:00 @ 5p kWh and a couple of cheaper hour during day at 14p  the rest just below capped price.  Seems like a great option if you have some batteries or even if you can batch heat during early hours including the hot water?

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Even if you don't have batteries or batch heat it's worth considering because it's always below standard variable rate and the fixed cost is also lower. What, if any, are the downsides?

[The Bin Man]

They’ve got failed supplier written all over them so another SoLR waiting in the wings and more costs added to consumers in the long run.  No thanks.

[SteamyTea]

  On 30/11/2024 at 12:57, The Bin Man said:

They’ve got failed supplier written all over them

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That is my view, except the checks on suppliers are much more stringent now.

Who ultimately owns Tomato?

[The Bin Man]

The original company was formed before the regulator tightened the rules for new suppliers joining.
 

Over the years they’ve changed their name more times than you’ve had hot dinners (well ok currently on 3rd name), Directors seem to be in and out of a revolving door and are no stranger to OFGEM investigations.

 

 

💩💩💩

Edited November 30, 2024 by The Bin Man

[sharpener]

  On 30/11/2024 at 12:57, The Bin Man said:

They’ve got failed supplier written all over them so another SoLR waiting in the wings and more costs added to consumers in the long run.  No thanks.

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Having three times moved away from Scottish Power and twice been moved back again under SoLR I am not keen, their pricing looks suicidal.

 

From the first email on 19 June It has taken me until yesterday to get Octopus to

• install smart meter in place of Radio Teleswitch E7
• switch me to Cosy tariff
• transfer me from deemed export with Good Energy to Outgoing Fixed
• get the various databases updated correctly
• start monthly billing with correct meter readings

Everything seemed to involve my prodding or intervention at every stage but they have finally offered a reasonable amount of compensation for the hassle.

 

Am not anxious to start this all over again with a supplier that may turn out to be flaky.

[PhilT]

With many people suffering such energy cost hardship, such an attractive price some may still consider this worth a shot though, what is there to lose if you do what everyone should be doing which is to control the payments, preferably monthly in arrears based on the bill.

Edited November 30, 2024 by PhilT

[SteamyTea]

  On 30/11/2024 at 16:47, PhilT said:

what is there to lose if you do what everyone should be doing which is to control the payments, preferably monthly in arrears based on the bill.

Edited 1 hour ago by PhilT

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I think that is the problem. They can bill you, via DD any amount they like, then take ages sorting it out.

Ask Bulb customers who had overpaid how long it took to sort it all out, about 18 months before Octopus took them over.

[mk1_man]

I am not sure companies can charge anything they want against the variable direct debit, just the electric you have used.  Surely this is better than paying too high a dd and building up a credit that you then struggle to get back?   There is some noise about poor service but I think a lot of this is due to growing too quickly.  They have been around a while and also rebranded a number of times over the years but I understand this is the first time they have entered the domestic market.  They are certainly disrupting things, isn't this a good thing.  My feeling is that Octopus has got a little comfortable of late.  My other gripe with Octopus is that you need to have an EV to leverage the cheap overnight rates.  I have 30 kWh battery storage so in a week probably use as much if not more than the average EV driver but yet I can't get a cheap tariff with them.  With Tomato Energy  ( and EON Next ) you can.    I am just about to pull the trigger, will keep you all posted. 

[The Bin Man]

Variable direct debit is exactly what it says on the tin.  Unspecified amounts at unspecified times.  They give you the appropriate notice and you will be called upon.   Don’t pay, cancel DD etc during dispute or uncertainty and risk being passed over to credit collection and blacklist.  

[Dillsue]

  On 30/11/2024 at 19:22, The Bin Man said:

Variable direct debit is exactly what it says on the tin.  Unspecified amounts at unspecified times.  They give you the appropriate notice and you will be called upon.   Don’t pay, cancel DD etc during dispute or uncertainty and risk being passed over to credit collection and blacklist.  

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Surely they'll DD the amount specified in your bill and take the DD on the date in the bill so no random sums at random times?

[SteamyTea]

  On 30/11/2024 at 20:49, Dillsue said:

Surely they'll DD the amount specified in your bill and take the DD on the date in the bill so no random sums at random times?

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If only.

 

EDF who I am with, estimate the amount based on average usage.

Trouble is that it is not my average usage, but national average for a house that uses E7, so about 3 times what I use.

I refuse to set up a direct debit with them as they once tried to bill me £2500, when that was refused by my bank because I did not have enough money in my account, they tried to bill me £1999, that was refused as well, then they tried £999 (refused).

The amount owed was about £60, but I got left with £90 bank charges, which Santander refused to refund, and EDF said it was not their problem.

I cancelled my direct debit and went to quarterly postal billing by cash/cheque , which is not available any more.  This got changed to monetary billing, without any notification or warning.

 

These energy companies just do what they like, and getting a proper resolution is time consuming and exhausting.  Swapping provider, when you are a very low user, is not worth the effort.

[The Bin Man]

  On 30/11/2024 at 20:49, Dillsue said:

Surely they'll DD the amount specified in your bill and take the DD on the date in the bill so no random sums at random times?

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only standing orders are fixed.  Specified amount on specified day.

Although DD typically doesn’t change without you being aware it’s important to understand it can and with appropriate notice they are in charge!  

 

 

[The Bin Man]

  On 30/11/2024 at 14:11, SteamyTea said:

 

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Edited November 30, 2024 by The Bin Man

[Dillsue]

  On 30/11/2024 at 21:14, The Bin Man said:

only standing orders are fixed.  Specified amount on specified day.

Although DD typically doesn’t change without you being aware it’s important to understand it can and with appropriate notice they are in charge!  

 

 

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I think the DD guarantee says diffently! If they overcharge you can ask for a refund and they are obliged to give it.

 

Direct debits can be fixed to and taken on a set day to allow consumers level payments over the year. Ours is fixed and taken on the same day each month.

[The Bin Man]

The devil is in the detail.

 

If you are deducted for something you weren’t given the appropriate notice then of course you can ask for refund and the banking system will ensure you get it back.

 

BUT, if they do give you correct notice then YOU do have to pay. 

 

 

[Andehh]

Welp, I switched over to them earlier in the week, from octopus cosy so we will see!

 

Got £250 credit as well, which I'll call octopus to find out what happens.

 

First 3 days seem cheaper then octopus, but will need to wait and see.

[The Bin Man]

All being well you will be fine.

 

Switching to any new supplier over the Winter period will always be interesting because your DD will likely be significantly less than your actual usage, it’s how they react is what matters.

 

 

[SteamyTea]

  On 01/12/2024 at 06:58, Andehh said:

Welp, I switched over to them earlier in the week

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It is a tariff that would suit me very well, so make sure you post up after they have taken a couple of payments.

Then I shall see.

 

(still not got my heating on and yesterdays usage was 8 kWh, so never going to save that much)

[Dillsue]

  On 01/12/2024 at 06:53, The Bin Man said:

The devil is in the detail.

 

If you are deducted for something you weren’t given the appropriate notice then of course you can ask for refund and the banking system will ensure you get it back.

 

BUT, if they do give you correct notice then YOU do have to pay. 

 

 

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If they charge you incorrectly, you get a refund regardless of whether they gave you notice. If you've made a mistake in the meter reading, correct it and get a refund. If they've made a mistake get them to correct it and get your refund.

 

If your bill is £100 they cant give you notice that they are taking £500 and it be legitimate just because they gave you notice.

 

DD is covienient for everyone but the DD Guarantee is there to protect consumers who always have the upper hand

[SteamyTea]

  On 01/12/2024 at 07:41, Dillsue said:

If your bill is £100 they cant give you notice that they are taking £500 and it be legitimate just because they gave you notice.

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They can, and do.

Nearly every month there is a story about it on You and Yours.

[PhilT]

All suppliers will most likely screw up at some point, even Octopus, who I am still with after two years, have messed up my billing countless times, but always fixed it immediately. What evidence is there to suggest Tomato will be any different?

[Dillsue]

  On 01/12/2024 at 08:05, SteamyTea said:

They can, and do.

Nearly every month there is a story about it on You and Yours.

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Of course they'll be cock ups but that doesn't make an excessive DD legitimate. Just contact your bank and ask for a refund of the excess over what should have been taken.

[SteamyTea]

  On 01/12/2024 at 09:23, Dillsue said:

Just contact your bank and ask for a refund of the excess over what should have been taken.

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Did that, they just said it was down to EDF, who said it was down to the Bank.

Rinse and repeat 

Why I get billed, with paper.

They still (expletive deleted) that up.

[ProDave]

I once had a lousy supplier.  It's all very well reciting the DD rules and what they can and cannot do, but that is no great help when you cannot contact your suppliers customer service and when you can they are somewhere between obstructive and ubhelpful.  It is just NOT worth the stress and hassle for save just a few ££ each year on a too cheap to be viable tariff.

 

Much better to be with a supplier that has a good reputation for customer service and rarely makes an error.  Someone like Octopus.  All you need to do with Octopus is recommend a couple of friends join them for £50 for you and £50 for them.  That can give you more off your electricity than any cheap supplier can.

 

Oh and if you want to do that PM me for a referral code for Octopus.