• How do you get paid?
• How much commission do you charge and how do you charge me?’ (As noted above, the supplier re-charges businesses the commission via an uplift typically to energy unit rates). ‘Do you have access to all of the supplier market?
• What makes you different to all the other TPIs?
• Do you have any service standards?
• Are you signed up to a recognised CoP?
• Who will be my account manager?
• Could you confirm my price is fully fixed or if there are any pass-through charges, what additional costs should I budget for?
• Could I read & sign a written contract?

A TPI who is unable to answer these questions, being evasive or not telling the truth, is unlikely to be acting in the best interest of the customer and should be avoided.

• There is also nothing to stop a business using more than one TPI to collect prices.
• The TPIs will usually go to the same suppliers who should provide TPIs similar if not the same prices, which means a business can spot inflated commissions simply by making a quick like for like comparison.Or a business can be proactive. 
• TPIs will welcome a call from a business and be delighted to provide their services. 
• The best TPIs will have an excellent website with their products clearly outlined, a list of their suppliers, a section on how they get paid, important news updates and testimonials.
• The best TPIs will be happy to talk, to discuss their products and how they are paid so that a partnership builds over time based on trust. 
• Professional TPIs will always want to build a relationship that lasts and extends; to the benefit of both parties.