was just looking at Draper's web site and seen they have there 2006 prices out, $115.00 FOR A 3 POUND PACKAGE OF BUCKFAST and SMR delivered and $90.00 if picked up. I knew bee's were going up but never thought this high, there price was $60.00 last year if I remember right.
http://www.draperbee.com/default.htm
New Plan.... lots of cutdowns to make a crop and a few walkaways!! HOLY SMOKES
My italian bees came through Draper the past few years. I had thought that by ordering from a supplier closer to home, they would travel less time through the mail. But they were drop-shipped from producers in Georgia. The first year they came from York, and last year they came from Rossman. When I compared prices, it seemed Draper added $12 -- $15 to the price for arranging the purchase, and the $20 charged for shipping was much more than the actual priority mail postage, by 3 or 4 times. I liked what I got last year, so this year I ordered direct from Rossman and hope to save $20 -- $25 per package.
As someone said in another thread, "you really don't know much even after reading all you can read." I learn a little each year by doing, and hope I make no BIG mistakes.
-- Kris