Tado Marketing Test
Answers
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Utter sh show. Showing some mercy, I actually feel for even those high up. The investors (VC / private equity) will have the thumb screws on.
Fight it team. You have built a good product. I believe in you. You created this to be good. Fight for your dream. Do not let this die on a PE gamble4 -
This smacks of them doing similar to what they did when they first introduced the Auto Assist subscription in 2018...
There was uproar from the existing user community about the introduction of a subscription, so they simply back-tracked out of it for existing users but then introduced the fee for new users anyway.
My guess is they will do the same here. Introduce it to new users, but keep it free for existing users. Of course I could be completely wrong.
It does seem really dodgy if they're putting fake pop-ups in the app for some users though...4 -
What are my consumer rights in the UK, I just brought those in the Uk but now this would be a material change to the offering and feature. Will Tado accept a full refund. It has been less than a year.2
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If a fee happens then:
1) Tado will loose me as a customer
2) I will seek legal action
Don’t complain about server cost when local access is prevented.1 -
I would like to add that as someone who has subscribed to auto-assist, I completely disagree with these charges and especially how this “test” has been conducted by Tado.
I have cancelled my auto-assist subscription (even though it’s yearly, I’ve asked Apple if they can provided a prorated refund).
If these new charges come into effect then I will be seeking to return all Tado equipment for a full refund.
I hope Tado release a statement soon, it’s not fair that they have left @Emcee to deal with the fallout.3 -
I'm completely done with Tado. I will never recommend Tado to anyone again. It's ridiculous that you have to pay €30 per year for basic geofencing that doesn't require any server resources on their part. Their business model seems to exploit customers rather than serve them.
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It's a sad fact that the subscription business model is the way things are going. It all kicked off when Micro$oft started charging a subscription for Office. Others followed; "oooh what a good idea" and the rot set in. Every boardroom in the world is now asking for ideas as to how they can add a subscription model to their product or service because its a constant revenue stream, which is what all businesses aspire to.
Unfortunately for tado, the Auto-Assist subscription is not a constant revenue stream because you can opt out, or not opt in, or even worse, opt-in and then choose to opt-out. It's not the constant stream they want. So now they are trying an alternative; most people want to use the app, can they charge a paltry €1 a month for that and get away with it? Let's mock up a test and see what the feedback (backlash) is. I've never seen this before, but someone has to have the new idea and see if it holds water. The only problem is if tado get away with it, others will soon follow.
But what they forgot to factor in was their current user-base. The test was probably only meant to be seen by new users, but they forgot about the inquisitive amongst us. Plus those that were new users were sold the product with a subscription free option only to find out it's not, which is, as some elude to; illegal under the rules laid down by CAP and overseen by the ASA. News gets out and all hell breaks loose. Now the cat's out of the bag and they can't get it back in, that boat has sailed. tado's name is mud with some and word is spreading. I can only imagine the boardroom now, "what are we going to do?"
So like many businesses (I can name quite a few), they have chosen silence as their weapon of choice. "Tell them it was a test, that'll do it." No mate, we're not that naive. It's all over Reddit and it's found its way to the independent tado users group on Facebook, where many hopefuls visit to get information on the product before purchasing……it's not a good look. Additionally, tado's Trustpilot page is slowly filling with news of imminent subscription charges and resultant one-star reviews, a site there purely for those considering purchasing tado!
Like others, I have plans to desert this particular ship. My Hive system arrives on Wednesday, courtesy of Amazon. tado has until that day to put out an official announcement clearly explaining what's happening and when, and an apology for this ridiculous and ill-conceived "test". If nothing transpires, the Hive system gets unboxed and fitted. I will be asking Amazon for a refund on the system that has never properly worked, and if they cannot do anything, I will cut my losses, lesson learned but like others here, I will ensure I do all I can to dissuade others from buying into tado due to the dishonest tactics, terrible customer service and master of none system that only works on very few systems.
I was always told; if you make a mistake, own up to it and apologise. tado would be well advised to heed that advice.
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My Trust Pilot review has been flagged as defamatory, despite being an accurate reflection of the truth.
Tado is really testing my patience.4 -
At the risk of having my whole account deleted and especially this comment, I'd like to put a good word in to Amazon (from whence I bought my tado system).
Even though I began buying this system in April last year, after discussing the problems Ive been having with the system, they have agreed to refund me once I have returned everything. I have to cover the cost of postage, but frankly given the length of time I've had the goods I am more than happy to do that.
For those of you considering your options, if you've bought from Amazon, give them a try, they may help you out like they did me.
Thankfully I am out of the tado ecosystem now. I am reinstalling the manual system I thankfully kept in case of emergencies until my Hive order arrives.
I feel relieved.
Good luck everyone, this is my last post.
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Trustpilot quickly reviewed and reinstated the review, bravo Trust Pilot! A win for consumers who should not be silenced.
I’m pretty fed up with this. Tado has already ruined a rare vacation due to my stress, anger, distraction and wasted time on this.
That means I’m fully committed. I expect my services to be available to heat my home in advance of returning tomorrow. If not then I will invest time in making sure this stunt is publicised widely.
That’s enough from me now, here.3 -
Looks like the marketing test (and this thread) have made The Verge:
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Can we receive clarification on how this proposition would have saved Tado money on cloud hosting costs at all? Bearing in mind that the proposed free tier allows the use of Alexa / Google Home, which require a “cloud-to-cloud” connection according to support articles.
Truthfully I think the only way to recover any good-will from this fiasco would be a hefty apology and to properly implement local control of Tado devices so that users can’t be at risk of their set up being held to ransom.2 -
@TomTrumper That was my thought as well. Google does have the capability to do local commands, but you're right, Tado support says it requires the cloud 🤷♂️
I know HomeKit isn't mentioned in the marketing material as "free"," but it is fully local but lacks full functionality. For instance, I can't get it to control my hot water (I've seen other devices expose hot water control to HomeKit as a switch-class device). HomeKit can be used as a pseudo-local API.
Everyone vote for true local control (they've turned off comments but you can still vote): https://community.tado.com/en-gb/discussion/3875/local-apiOr at least adding Hot Water control to HomeKit: https://community.tado.com/en-gb/discussion/17459/set-hot-water-temperature-through-homekit
They can't take things away without having a real alternative, that's where consumer protection legislation would bite them hard.2 -
This "test" will make people search for alternatives and will make Tado loose future clients.
I am one since it doesn't work without a subscription.
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No test! In Germany this is already true since February 19. No access via Tado app anymore when not booking either the basic-package (the formerly free functions).
I've spent hundreds of Euro in hardware and now I'm locked out to basic functions like battery status, open-window notifications or child safety lock function.
Obviously the Auto-Assist package was way too expensive with 4,99€/month so the users didn't choose it. Now they try to milk the customers with 0,99€/month by locking them out of the basics. The Auto-Assist package is now again at 2,49€/month.
I highly recommend to choose anything but Tado. Unfortunately I have it now, thank you for nothing Tado!
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All I can say is thank goodness The Verge reported on this when they did. Having invested 13 valves, I was toying with whether to switch to upgrade to the new Tado system. Now I’m thinking about switching. I don’t care if this was really a marketing test or not. It says enough about Tado’s attitude towards its customers. App development as been poor to say the least and the system is clunky. To even contemplate a subscription model is utterly crass.1
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It hasn't hit me yet but I'm annoyed. After spending hundreds outfitting my whole house with thermostats and smart valves, £1 a month isnt much, but its a slap in the face.
Lock out your advance features, im fine with that but I shouldn't have to pay to set a schedule, adjust my heating or even access basic boiler controls such as flow temperature.
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plus one looking today on your website the subscription test is still showing not good practice I think your test shows you will miss out on a lot of customers if you bring this in.
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This test ist worrying me.
Why would I pay for functionality I assumed was included (and advertised!!!) when I bought the product last November… just a couple of months ago?
If tado steps back on the included app and tries to kill/aftermarket a feature that was advertised when I bought the system I will not only have to leave tado but am also very confident that under EU law I can get my money refunded easily.1 -
Just wanted to add to this that like others, simply because Tado management is considering this change, I'll be looking to move away from Tado and return all the equipment.
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What does it mean that it was a "test"? Are they testing if people are happy to pay for something that has been free until now? (genuinely asking). Does anybody know if this is happening in the UK too?
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So how do you return the Tado system ? The products we're not purchased over Amazon but an online shop in Germany. I do not want to risk a fee later this year.0
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I also have spent several hundred Euros during the last month for my Tado x thermostats without any information that I will need subscription to use the basic features. Without the heating schedule they are worthless for me!
If it is true that the subscription for the basic features were already introduced in Germany I‘c try to return them to and switch back to my fully locally operational zwave thermostats.
I am pretty sure that it is against the law here not to inform customers before buying that you need a subscription to use the hardware.
As someone else already has written it is an utter sh show by Tado. Of cause I will never ever recommend Tado to any friend or family.1 -
I am in Germany and as of today (21st Feb) I have access through my tado app and see my devices and the battery status and nothing changed compared to before.0
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Today, the in-app conclusion to this fiasco, below.
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Your tado° app is still FREE!
You did not actually subscribe and you will not be charged.
What you just saw was part of a market study to get honest feedback on how valuable customers perceive our app to be.
As a thank you for participating, we'd like to gift you 12 months of free Auto-Assist. It activates within 72 hours - no action needed, no hidden costs.
We value your thoughts and any concerns you may have. Leave feedback.
Got It
After 12 months, your access to Auto-Assist will end automatically, and you won't be charged unless you actively choose to renew your subscription.0 -
What you just saw was part of a market study to get honest feedback on how valuable customers perceive our app to be.
"There is no war in Ba Sing Se"
How "honest" do they want that feedback, because i'm pretty certain it did some major damage there.
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How to say you messed up bad without admitting you messed up bad.
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Gotta love how misguided tado senior management are. Anyone could have seen what a train wreck this ‘initiative’ would end up being for the tado brand. Sad for all those employees who’ve put a lot of love and effort into the product.2
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Louis Rossman just did a video on this.
https://youtu.be/tfAchfFXghc?si=9RPL5YmwqiH5Mxd1
Tado’s marketing team are asleep at the wheel. Provide a proper apology for this weird psychological test or this is going to get worse. (Saying other people do experiments too doesn’t make it better)
I used to like this brand, build back some goodwill while you still can.8
