Did your bee clubs package order get cut back this year ?

[woodchopper]

 Guess the South is having bad weather this year and a few of the suppliers are caught between a rock and a hard place. I know it goes with the territory because this seems to happen every year in recent history. Has anyone else here experienced a late or partial order from their bee clubs supplier this year. I'm not mad, just curious. TIA

[backyard warrior]

Yes sir our order got pushed back just about a month.  Thats just it what you gonna do bad weather no bees just part of the hobby.  Chris

[hardwood]

Pm me if ya'll need... although we prefer you find local suppliers for your bees, we do take shipments north. I know other suppliers here that have a glut.

Scott

[salvo]

Hi Folks,

Southeast Massachusetts here. Our packages also got pushed back. Nucs came in last Saturday, only 7 days after expected, all healthy and happy, but "end of May" for packages.

Man Plans! God Laughs!

I'm gonna go capture me a swarm!

Salvo

[Jim Hughes]

The local feller I get mine from got his entire order pushed back a week.  700 packages.

NW Washington.

[iddee]

Our club sent a team of 3 to pick up the packages. They arrived at 8:00 AM. After working in the bee yard helping shake packages until 6:00 PM, they got their full order. They were the only ones who didn't get shorted that day, but they earned it.

PS. They also enjoyed the day of learning in a commercial yard.

[woodchopper]

The local feller I get mine from got his entire order pushed back a week.  700 packages.

NW Washington.

A week or two delay seems to happen every year. Looks like ours is going to be five weeks later than originally planned.

[Jim 134]

The local beekeeper I know  got his entire order 1 week early (for 2011) 300 packages.



   BEE HAPPY Jim 134

[BjornBee]

So who are those on time, a week late, and those who are a month behind?

I ordered mine from Hardemans on December 1, 2010 42 minutes after they started taking orders. They asked me what week I wanted bees. I passed on earlier dates in March and scheduled for 9 April. At this time, I am looking at 7 May, as a "we might have bees on this date" and if they do, they already stated they will cut my order in half, with the other half being ready at some future time after that.

It would not be that bad except the guy down the street, who already had his entire order filled last week by "H&R" or "H&L" (some letters like that) was allowed to add to his order with an unscheduled pickup due to extras, and is making another run tomorrow. Meanwhile Hardemans has gone to a "We don't schedule anymore....we just have a big list and fill them as we can" type setup. I sold based on marketing Hardemans, had a tentative date (I know there are always delays), and now can not even tell my customers when to expect the bees as Hardemans refuses to actually schedule a date, even though for several weeks now it's been "Maybe next week" which just seems to be pushed further and further back.

Hard to believe one supplier is on time and some have extra packages, while the guy down the road has a 5 week delay. I'm not convinced that "weather" is the main culprit. Overbooking, management, and playing favorites to long standing customers probably has something to do with it.

I'll be filling some of my earlier nuc orders well ahead of the time we may get our packages from Georgia. And we have had crappy weather as well. 

[danno]

My queens are coming May 3rd.   Crap!!!!  Its still winter here.   We got a inch of snow last night

[Shanevrr]

The local feller I get mine from got his entire order pushed back a week.  700 packages.

NW Washington.

how can you afford that many packeges lol, that like 50 grand

mine was two weeks late and then got lost by ups

[rgy]

ours are one week delayed,  THANKFULLY!!!!  They were supposed to be here today but are pushed to next thursday.  rest of the week forcast is basically lows in the 30's highs low mid 40's and rain.  Starting monday it looks like highs in teh 60's and low's in the 40's with some sun.  MAYBe just MAYBE spring will finally come to Michigan!  Had 3 inches of snow monday morning.

[Course Bee]

Our Beekeepers Association combines our orders and our supplier who orders then from Olvirares in Northern California is shipping approximately two weeks late. They had cold rainy weather. What I've read says they are gaining on their original schedule. They can't control the weather any more than I could stop the two inches of snow we got last night.
It's just part of the fun of Beekeeping right?

[Scadsobees]

Man Plans! God Laughs!

I'm gonna go capture me a swarm!

Salvo

Your swarms just got pushed back by 2-3 weeks too  .

[Hethen57]

Eastern WA (Packages from Northern CA) - they threatened delays, but we got ours last weekend (4/16) and were forced to install in lousy weather (lots of stings), then it rained and snowed for a few days and is in the 30's and 40's.  The bees really haven't been able to do much flying since installation, but hopefully Spring will arrive in the next few weeks 

[woodchopper]

Hard to believe one supplier is on time and some have extra packages, while the guy down the road has a 5 week delay. I'm not convinced that "weather" is the main culprit. Overbooking, management, and playing favorites to long standing customers probably has something to do with it.

BB, I'm pretty sure your last sentence says it all.  This has happened to us in 5 of the 7 years we've been keeping bees.

[AllenF]

Hardemans just sells a ton of bees.   Everybody wants them and they are at a good price.   Wet spring or over selling, I do not know.   Winter losses or is someone out there offering up more money to buy "your" bees before they ship.   Who knows.   I do know most everybody is running late for some reason.   I would bet on over selling the orders.  But they are in business to make money.

[Yuleluder]

The pain of people cancelling their package orders.... lol  Some folks just don't understand, lol.

[Michael Bach]

Mine were on time.

I use two local guys who go down to Georgia.  The first shipment of 3 lb russian and 4 lb italians came in April 9th from Hardeman.

The second shipment of 4 lb italians arrives this saturday, April 23rd.

These guys bring back about 350-400 packages per trip.  They pay a year in advance.

They always use Hardeman or Rossman's

[AllenF]

The good ol boy system.   It's all who you know.

[BjornBee]

The pain of people cancelling their package orders.... lol  Some folks just don't understand, lol.

Yeah, I had some cancellations also.

Seems some have no problem getting bees. One guy called tonight, and arranged for a supplier to ship him bees next week. 

I know next year, all my nucs and queen orders go first to those that ordered from me this year.

I think I need to go to a system of rewarding previous customers and those a tad bit loyal then those cancelling an order to get bees a few days earlier from someone else.

Maybe a "restocking" fee of 25% for cancelled orders.....

[organicfarmer]

Mine have been postponed one week at a time since April 2. Now supposed to come on 30th, that's 5 dates, 4 postponements. And i have the feeling the series is not over. "Bee packages VI" coming soon to your theater !!!
Indeed tis the name of the (Natural) game... with maybe some influence from the boys' network, regular customer vs. new ones...

[BjornBee]

 

And to think I had folks not willing to wait till June for a nuc. 

Lets see.....Late May package, or a June nuc......  No brainer, for those that actually know what happens to a package the first month.

Maybe this is a lesson for more to get into nuc production. Seems not too hard to compete with packages with this lousy customer service and crap. Seems many orders were grabbed, beyond production capabilities, then string everyone along, knowing they have most over a barrel with no other options. I hear the weather comments EVERY year. Meaning they should take this into account. But it's too easy to expand your normal window of production by grabbing twice as many orders, then stringing the orders well beyond normal delivery dates for packages. Did anyone ever think this was by design, and perhaps not by some once again fluk of the weather? If they told folks they would not get their packages till late May, I wonder how many orders would not of been made. But if you take three months of orders, promise them all to be delivered in April, yet use the convenient excuse of the "weather", then take three months delivering your orders,......No! That can't possible happen could it? 

[organicfarmer]

Maybe this is a lesson for more to get into nuc production. Seems not too hard to compete with packages with this lousy customer service and crap. Seems many orders were grabbed, beyond production capabilities, then string everyone along, knowing they have most over a barrel with no other options. I hear the weather comments EVERY year. Meaning they should take this into account. But it's too easy to expand your normal window of production by grabbing twice as many orders, then stringing the orders well beyond normal delivery dates for packages. Did anyone ever think this was by design, and perhaps not by some once again fluk of the weather? If they told folks they would not get their packages till late May, I wonder how many orders would not of been made. But if you take three months of orders, promise them all to be delivered in April, yet use the convenient excuse of the "weather", then take three months delivering your orders,......No! That can't possible happen could it? 

You are honest, but greed and the same 'weather' excuse can get to the nuc industry just the same if someone wanted to. No?

[Vance G]

I picked up nucs in Spokane off Yakima bees back from the almonds.  On time and a five frame nuc meant brood on five frames!  They are carniolans and just kittens on wings.  Never have worked as gentle a bee.  Today was first decent flying day since 4/16 when I picked them up.  Rotten weather.  Please pray for Global Warming.

[BjornBee]

You are honest, but greed and the same 'weather' excuse can get to the nuc industry just the same if someone wanted to. No?

Sure it could.

Although it always is the packages being promised first, and the nucs much later by the calendar. Many folks order packages because the lack of true supply in the north of nucs. Couple that with the idea that most beginners have about wanting to start early, and many beekeepers do not want to wait a month or two for nucs after packages are being "promised".

But keep dragging out package deliveries to late May, and I think many northern beekeepers will realize that any advantage to early packages is lost. Beekeepers would do better to use their overwintered hives for honey production, forget about early packages, keep their money in their pocket, and split their hives half way through the flow, making up for losses, and probably be far ahead of installing packages in May.

Keep in mind that a package will decrease in population for the first 30 days after installation. Meaning any true buildup for a package will not happen till June.

The value of packages is they are readily available, and can be purchased early season. Take away those benefits, and there isn't much advantage is there?

[BjornBee]

Hey Lucas....I had a 40 package order cancel this morning. 

Seems packages are abundant and available if using the right supplier. Guys bringing up extra trucks with packages not even sold yet. Handing them out like candy. 

At this rate, we might just make one trip...

[VolunteerK9]

Hey Lucas....I had a 40 package order cancel this morning. 

Couldnt tell if you were kidding or not, but if not, that had to hurt. A 40 package cancellation would make my wheaties boil over

[BjornBee]

No...it's no joke.

Can't even really sell them again at this point. It would go like this....

"Have extra packages left over from a unfulfilled April delivery. New delivery date....unknown. Just send money and we will let you know down the road." 

Send money to...... 

At this point, I'll just cut the order and suck it up.

[Yuleluder]

No...it's no joke.

Can't even really sell them again at this point. It would go like this....

"Have extra packages left over from a unfulfilled April delivery. New delivery date....unknown. Just send money and we will let you know down the road." 

Send money to...... 

At this point, I'll just cut the order and suck it up.

I had a few orders trickle in today.  I had to tell them mid-May but that it could be later.  They were fine with that.  Its been painful this week, but you just have to hope everything will work itself out.

[BjornBee]

No...it's no joke.

Can't even really sell them again at this point. It would go like this....

"Have extra packages left over from a unfulfilled April delivery. New delivery date....unknown. Just send money and we will let you know down the road." 

Send money to...... 

At this point, I'll just cut the order and suck it up.

I had a few orders trickle in today.  I had to tell them mid-May but that it could be later.  They were fine with that.  Its been painful this week, but you just have to hope everything will work itself out.

Just remember... Time never stops.

May
Mae
Mane
Jane
June

 

[backyard warrior]

I know one thing that supplier wouldnt get my business ever again !  This whole bee  package industry is all about the buck and thats all it ever will be and if i can do some splits next season ill be happy with that. I am kinda bent on the fact that i wont have any bees for the flow and the bees wont start builing up till June why would i want bees after a nectar flow So i can feed them all summer and hope for a little bit of fall flow Just doesnt add up  Chris

[Yuleluder]

Its really not that late in the sense that the strong hives in the area are just getting started with swarm preparations.  A guy I know found a bunch of open swarm cells in one of his strong hives yesterday.  Now if we get pushed out past swarm season, lol...

[backyard warrior]

 I dont know about that lucas   If we get bees in May and it takes the bees till June too build themselves up once the queen starts laying and hatching out bees we know it takes 21 days for a forager to leave the hive. Now if you have a hive right now that is ready to swarm you know have a hive that is full of bees ready to collect the nectar flow. But when you are a small guy like me i dont have any hives to split to make up the losses its just a frustrating hobby im going to need blood pressure pills soon. 

[Yuleluder]

I make splits in July with 2 frames of brood and get most of them through winter, so May really isn't that bad.  I know some folks want to make honey from a package but that rarely happens out here in SE PA even with drawn comb.  I'm sorry to hear about your package from HL.  I call you later after I'm done in the bee yards.

[Sparky]

A local commercial beek that we get packages from has made two trips to Georgia so far with total's running short on both loads. The first order he brought back 1/2 of his 500 package order. The second trip was two weeks behind from two different suppliers and the one they had to help shake bees to get close to the amount he wanted. The thing i found interesting was that you could see a large variance in the packages and we found out that the suppliers are starting to call them #2 or #3 packages instead of 3lb. packages. I guess it is like buying a candy bar when they raise the price and cut the portion.

[woodchopper]

I know one thing that supplier wouldnt get my business ever again !  This whole bee  package industry is all about the buck and thats all it ever will be and if i can do some splits next season ill be happy with that. I am kinda bent on the fact that i wont have any bees for the flow and the bees wont start builing up till June why would i want bees after a nectar flow So i can feed them all summer and hope for a little bit of fall flow Just doesnt add up  Chris

The late packages will make a already bad gamble worse. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a heavy Fall flow. BTW, we'll remember this stunt come next year when we place our orders. I've already cut my order in half and canceled a almost $200 equipment order from the guy were are buying packages from. He's a great guy but got caught between a rock and a hard place on this one.

[lenape13]

Mine keep getting pushed back as well.  It has gone from "anytime between now and May 5th", to "we'll call you when the bees arrive".  At this point, I am determined not to order bees anymore.  I will just rely on splitting my existing hives, which I do anyway.  I just used the packages to help me gain hive numbers quicker and introduce new lines of genetics into the mix.

[Course Bee]

Our April 29th order was pushed to May 7th. They just moved it back up to May 3rd or 4th. Not sure why but I'm glad it's a few days earlier. I hate to have my equipment sitting empty. Their coming from Northern California.

[BjornBee]

Looks like we might get a partial order this weekend. So what started as April 9th delivery, delayed till May 7th....and yet we still will wait till tomorrow to find out how many, when, etc.

I'm praying they have no "bad" weather the next few days allowing them another reason to delay... 

[reinbeau]

May 20th for us. 

[Course Bee]

We got ours May 2nd. Less than a week later than the original date.

[Dan in PA]

I had a few orders trickle in today.  I had to tell them mid-May but that it could be later.  They were fine with that.  Its been painful this week, but you just have to hope everything will work itself out.

I might have been one of those orders  I'm not expecting any miracles having ordered this late - We just moved to a location where beekeeping is possible. But hey, if you have any unclaimed packages ready...

I set up and shot professional fireworks shows for a few summers. We ran into problems similar to a beekeeper waiting impatiently for packages. Replace commercial package bee suppliers with pyrotechnics manufacturers and bees with 2"-12" pyrotechnic shells. There was the same frenzied ordering period and hurry-up-and-wait delivery period. You always had to wonder if your shipment really was delayed simply by heavy demand or if there were deals going on under the table. Competition was of course vicious. Not to mention US and Chinese customs, ATF and a host of other agencies and stacks of paperwork, licenses and inspections. 1.3G placards seem to draw attention.

[CVBees]

I got mine pushed back and then told sorry refunding all monies.  I went through Brushey Mountain to NOT get mine this year.. dang weather.

[BjornBee]

I got mine pushed back and then told sorry refunding all monies.  I went through Brushey Mountain to NOT get mine this year.. dang weather.

Ouch!

895 packages cancelled. Many ticked off customers.

Our order for April 9th, was partially filled on May 7, with the rest coming May 27 or 28.
Nearly two months late.  And here I thought packages were supposed to be filled prior to northern nucs. 

[Dan in PA]

I got mine pushed back and then told sorry refunding all monies.  I went through Brushey Mountain to NOT get mine this year.. dang weather.

Ouch!

895 packages cancelled. Many ticked off customers.

Our order for April 9th, was partially filled on May 7, with the rest coming May 27 or 28.
Nearly two months late.  And here I thought packages were supposed to be filled prior to northern nucs. 

I emailed you about a package today, hope I got in before the door closed!  By the way, the articles on Warre and Top Bar beekeeping on your site are a nice touch. I'm trying out 2 TBHs this year so we'll see how that goes.

[woodchopper]

 Our clubs packages were all cancelled and everyone will be issued a refund. One of the club members found a source of Wilbank's packages in R.I. on June 4th or 5th. I ordered 5 and won't complain about the late start this year because I know I'm lucky to have ANY coming. I was planning on having 22 hives this year, we'll end up with 8 when all is said and done.   Maybe next year ??