I contacted Poppins Cleaners Fireplace & Chimney Repair after seeing positive recommendations on Yelp and scheduled Caesar to assess a fireplace issue at my rental property--the remote wasn't turning the unit on.
Caesar called me with the following diagnosis:
"Good morning. I was able to program the remote control, and it's working fine, but that's not the problem. The pilot light ignites, but it has two sensors. The first one ignites and keeps the pilot light lit. The second sensor, when it heats up, sends a signal to the valve to open the burner. The valve is sending a good signal, but the servo motor is burned out. So the problem is the electronic gas valve that controls everything. I can do this job for $800. This includes replacing the valve with a new one, installing it, and reprogramming it, since everything is electronic."
From the moment he delivered this diagnosis, he was incessant about doing the repair immediately and pushed hard for me to authorize the $800 job on the spot. I told him clearly that I would be getting a second opinion and likely going through my home warranty.
That's where things took a very concerning turn.
After he left, my tenant called to tell me that the remote control for the fireplace was suddenly missing. Caesar had taken it with him without any permission. I had to call him and demand that he return it to the property.
Then, things got even worse. My tenant called again to say he noticed that some fireplace connections appeared to be left intentionally disconnected after Caesar's visit--presumably to make it seem like major repairs were needed. My tenant simply reconnected the wiring, and the fireplace worked perfectly with the remote right away. No $800 repair, no burned-out valve, no issue with sensors or motors--just unplugged wires.
This experience was not only unprofessional, but also deeply untrustworthy. Manipulating a system to justify unnecessary repair costs and removing a remote without permission is completely unacceptable.
I strongly advise anyone considering Poppins Cleaners Fireplace & Chimney Repair to beware. Based on my experience, their practices are pushy, dishonest, and potentially deceptive. Save yourself the headache and look elsewhere for a reputable and ethical company. read more