Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: The Bix on June 10, 2011, 01:40:31 PM

Title: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: The Bix on June 10, 2011, 01:40:31 PM
I have a potential buyer for a couple of my established colonies.  These are two-deep colonies with fully drawn comb, bottom board, inner and top covers.  Any ideas on how I would go about pricing these?
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: danno on June 10, 2011, 02:34:10 PM
I sold 2 last year. 2 deeps and 1 med super all new woodware with frames less that one year old for 200.00ea
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: gunner7888 on June 10, 2011, 09:58:05 PM
  I have thought of selling some established hives but when I see prices charged for established hives, it makes me wonder. Danno, when I saw your post I thought it seemed low so for kicks, I priced a hive "kit" that included 2 deeps w/frames, 2 med w/frames, bottom board, inner board, and tele top, for $250.00. You sold all that, minus one med super, plus bees and built out comb for $200.00. Just seems low to me. I would have to get price of woodenware plus $100.00 minimum for the bees and comb. Am I being unrealistic?
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: hardwood on June 10, 2011, 10:10:27 PM
I sell full hives (10 frames of bees + queen...no woodenware) for $150.

Scott
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: joebrown on June 10, 2011, 10:25:46 PM
The way I figure it:

Cheapest Hive I can find: $90.00 ( SBB,HB,Shallow Super, Inner Cover and Top w/ Frames and foundation)
Super of Honey: $100 at least. Figure 10 Quarts at $10, which is cheap to me!
3lb package of bees: $75 minimum, and a full hive will have much more than that!



That is $265.00 just to break even.
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: mushmushi on June 10, 2011, 11:12:14 PM
I paid 180 just for one nuc here in Quebec and you guys sell the hive equipement + bees + fully drawn frames for 20-80$ more  :shock:
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: iddee on June 10, 2011, 11:27:56 PM
The age and condition of the woodenware has a lot to do with the price of the hive. Also, the time of year. I have turned down weak hives in old boxes in Sept. for 40.00.
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: joebrown on June 10, 2011, 11:30:48 PM
Quote from: mushmushi on June 10, 2011, 11:12:14 PM
I paid 180 just for one nuc here in Quebec and you guys sell the hive equipement + bees + fully drawn frames for 20-80$ more  :shock:

You can typically buy plenty of Nucs in North Carolina for $95 to $110.
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: joebrown on June 10, 2011, 11:32:02 PM
Quote from: iddee on June 10, 2011, 11:27:56 PM
The age and condition of the woodenware has a lot to do with the price of the hive. Also, the time of year. I have turned down week hives in old boxes in Sept. for 40.00.

Got a point there! I am calculating for good equipment and healthy bees!
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: montauk170 on June 10, 2011, 11:32:32 PM
600 for new Woodward, two med.
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: JP on June 11, 2011, 12:09:46 PM
I've sold deep and a medium set ups full of thriving bees for $250.00.


...JP
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: wisnewbee on June 11, 2011, 09:47:27 PM
I started out with established colonies. These consisted of new bottom boards, 1 deep, inner cover, and telescoping top cover. New established queen, 9 frames of brood, pollen, and stores. I paid $175 each. The frames of brood, pollen, and stores came from splits the beek was doing. I bought 2 in the middle of May and both are doing great. Second deep added 1 day after arriving home. Second brood deep is completely drawn and has brrod and stores. The first honey super was added a week ago.

Wisnewbee
Title: Re: Have you ever sold an established colony?
Post by: danno on June 14, 2011, 08:57:45 AM
Quote from: gunner7888 on June 10, 2011, 09:58:05 PM
  I have thought of selling some established hives but when I see prices charged for established hives, it makes me wonder. Danno, when I saw your post I thought it seemed low so for kicks, I priced a hive "kit" that included 2 deeps w/frames, 2 med w/frames, bottom board, inner board, and tele top, for $250.00. You sold all that, minus one med super, plus bees and built out comb for $200.00. Just seems low to me. I would have to get price of woodenware plus $100.00 minimum for the bees and comb. Am I being unrealistic?
I should have added that I build everything except frames.  Box joints and recessed handholds.   Queens are about 16.00 and brood comes from my colonies