We hired Mr. Mark VanEpp Hooper for a fireplace repair and an appointment was scheduled via Lori Hooper to come and repair the fireplace for $120.
Mr. Hooper arrive 1.5 hours late and was smelling of liquor and alcohol. After arriving and inspecting the fireplace for 2 minutes he said he needed to get a part for replacement and will complete the repair the following week. Clearly he has NO experience in fireplaces, and was fumbling around with the equipment without a clue. Also, He was very interested in doing handyman work around the house and promised to complete the work within 2 hours per the agreement.
He asked to be paid IN CASH in full as he needed to purchase the part in Manassas VA. The entire visit took less than 10 minutes After leaving with the cash I followed up with an email and Lori Hooper responded wioth a confirmation with date and time of the second visit.
But he never returned and numerous emails went unanswered until I wrote the email with an erroneous amount of $200 to test their reponse. I was immediately responded with an abusive email pointing out that I paid them $120 not $200 and the work was "all completed." I apologized for my error and disgreed on the work completed as the fireplace was still non functional. I had the email confirmation that he was returning to finish the repairs, but they changed their mind and decided to bully us back into submission.
Mr. Hooper referred me to his brother-in-law at (((Redacted))). When I called him he returned the voice mail that this was not his correct number and to call the same number for (((Redacted))) again. Subsequently no calls were returned and I gave up on this as a rip-off and a scam.
Overall, this was a family-run scam and rip-off run deceptively by Mr. Mark VanEpp and Lori Hooper at the helm. It is highly likely that this scam is more widespread as hioliday season approaches.
Please BEWARE of having your fireplaces and gas lines be repaired by these inviduals as they are not only incompetent but also dishonest and highly dangerous.
Hooper, Mark
Centreville,#2REBUTTAL Owner of company
Wed, December 10, 2014
Mr Rob Sharma contacted me regarding his gas fireplace not starting and asked for an apt. and what my fees were. He was told via email my fee is 120.00 (60.00 an hour with a 2 hr minimum). He agreed and the apt. was set up. When I arrived I repaired his fireplace and got it working, however I could not get his remote control to work. But I did repair his non working fireplace and when I left, it was working fine by the switch just not by the remote. I refered him to my brother in law Jim Hoskins for the remote issue as he has more experience than I with these.
Mr Sharma was completly fine with everything and even asking for a 2nd visit for me to repair a water line to his icemaker. He contacted my wife via email and asked to set up a 2nd visit. We responded again that I would be happy to come out and install a water line to his fridge, but that he should contact Jim Hoskins for the fireplace remote. He then sends a email with a tone claiming he paid me 200.00 and no services were rendered. I replied via email " Rob, you did not pay me 200.00, you paid me my fee of 120.00 (60.00 an hour with a 2 hr minimum) and I did get your fireplace working.
As far as the remote, I gave you my brother in law's # he has more experience with these than I do. but I did get your fireplace working by switch for which you paid me 120.00" Mr Sharma then responded with "Since I admitted my mistake but you lied about your work to me, I trusted you but you ripped me off. You and Jim Hoskins will be reported and I wish you luck with your evil karma. Do not send any threats or nasty grams of low life bullies. Your justice will be served by your own karma."
I never bullied or threatend him in anyway. I only tried to be helpful. My brother in law Jim Hoskins had nothing to do with this other than me referring him. Mr Sharma has no right to slander Mr Hoskins reputation. He is an innocent person. Mr Hoskins was never contaced by Mr Sharma, however, Mr Hoskins is willing to come out FREE of chrage and repair the remote. He will be calling Mr Sharma shortly.