BetterBee ???

mgates61 · February 20, 2008, 11:18:06 PM

I ordered some supplies from BetterBee. It has been a month today since I placed my order and they say it will be at least another 1-2 weeks B4 it is shipped. Is this normal from bee suppliers ???

Mike

JP · February 20, 2008, 11:54:39 PM

Depends on what's in your order and time of yr. Sometimes there are backlogs.

....JP

Brian D. Bray · February 21, 2008, 12:16:12 AM

This is the busy time of year for suppliers everybody is ordering for their spring needs. Established customers usually get a higher priority than a newbee, just the way it is.

Cass Cohenour · February 21, 2008, 12:23:46 AM

Wax foundation is something that will not be shipped when it is too cold.
I placed an order with Dadant in Lynchburg, VA last week and had the package (metal bound queen excluders) the next day. I also placed an order (1 1/2" cap plugs for nucs) with Mann Lake in Hackensack, MN last Thursday. I received the package on Tuesday which is pretty good considering the weekend was close and Presidents' Day was Monday. Kelley's takes either a day or two days depending on how early in the day I place my order. I just received a large order of frames from them today that I placed late in the day on Saturday.
The closer you get to spring the longer you will have to wait for what you order so you're better off to order early.

Angi_H · February 21, 2008, 12:52:36 AM

Which reminds me I need to call them about the cracked lid on the pail feeder.

Angi

Sean Kelly · February 21, 2008, 07:56:48 AM

I placed an order from Western Bee two weeks ago and had it in two days! I was shocked at how fast they delivered! I placed an order from Walter T. Kelley last week and it wont be here for another 2 weeks.

Betterbee is usually pretty quick. Guess it all depends on what you're ordering and if it's currently in stock. I wouldn't worry bout Betterbee, they're really cool and great to work with, one of my favorites.

Sean Kelly

KONASDAD · February 21, 2008, 10:57:46 AM

My personal experinece w/ Betterbee has been perfect. They have always gotten me my items more quickly than they say they will arrive. It must be what Bri' says about older customers getting preferance and time of year giving you a double wammy. I really like betterbee. Depending on what you arte buying, you may be able to buy it locally. I found a local maker of hive bodies and frames. Save ooddles on shipping.

BeeHopper · February 21, 2008, 12:06:10 PM

Depending on what you order, this is typical. Betterbee has been wonderful to me for the last 3 year's. But don't put all your eggs in one basket, there are other suppliers. :-D

Quote from: mgates61 on February 20, 2008, 11:18:06 PM
I ordered some supplies from BetterBee. It has been a month today since I placed my order and they say it will be at least another 1-2 weeks B4 it is shipped. Is this normal from bee suppliers ???

Mike

Brian D. Bray · February 21, 2008, 09:23:29 PM

Quote from: Sean Kelly on February 21, 2008, 07:56:48 AM
I placed an order from Western Bee two weeks ago and had it in two days! I was shocked at how fast they delivered! I placed an order from Walter T. Kelley last week and it wont be here for another 2 weeks.

That's been my experience with Western Bee order on Monday have it Wednesday. Once the clerk forgot to designate that I was ordering 8 frame boxes, I called and had a case of 8 frame ends 2 days later. I sent the 10 frame ends back in the same box the 8 frame ends came in. That's good customer service.

QuoteBetterbee is usually pretty quick. Guess it all depends on what you're ordering and if it's currently in stock. I wouldn't worry bout Betterbee, they're really cool and great to work with, one of my favorites.

Sean Kelly

Yes, betterbee is generally very prompt, but as I said earlier this is the crunch time of year for them so they will be slower for a month or so when you can go back to expecting same week delivery.

mudlakee · February 22, 2008, 07:22:55 AM

It might be crunch time now, but 2 months ago when I ordered was quiet time. Now no response from e-mails. But like you said I am only a small guy, $1000 so far this year. I know a lot of folks spend more than that. Dadant seems to pay a little more attention to small buyers. Good Luck Tony

JMN · February 22, 2008, 01:17:41 PM

I ordered from Mann Lake 1 bag of Quick Start smokers at $7.95 (I think this could be considered a "small" order) I've got verification within minutes and shipping notification the next morning. All of my orders from them, small or bigger, got the same quick service.

JMN

Mountaineerfan · February 22, 2008, 01:29:21 PM

Quote from: Cass Cohenour on February 21, 2008, 12:23:46 AM
Wax foundation is something that will not be shipped when it is too cold.
I placed an order with Dadant in Lynchburg, VA last week and had the package (metal bound queen excluders) the next day. I also placed an order (1 1/2" cap plugs for nucs) with Mann Lake in Hackensack, MN last Thursday. I received the package on Tuesday which is pretty good considering the weekend was close and Presidents' Day was Monday. Kelley's takes either a day or two days depending on how early in the day I place my order. I just received a large order of frames from them today that I placed late in the day on Saturday.
The closer you get to spring the longer you will have to wait for what you order so you're better off to order early.

Cass! Good to see another mountaineer here!

KES · February 22, 2008, 06:01:20 PM

I started bee keeping last fall and have made several orders from Betterbee. I'm pretty much done though with them though. Every order has been held up because something wasn't in stock. Three weeks ago, my barn was hit by a tornado and flying debris knocked over both hives in 30 degree weather. I ordered replacement hives the next day......I still don't have them. For me, their track record isn't very good. This time of year they should be stocked with everything.

Moonshae · February 22, 2008, 11:24:09 PM

If you have an item or items on backorder, they'll hold your whole shipment until the item(s) comes in. If you're willing to pay the extra shipping fee to have toe order split, let them know, and they'll ship the in stock items right away.

woodchopper · February 23, 2008, 10:34:53 AM

Quote from: KES on February 22, 2008, 06:01:20 PM
I ordered replacement hives the next day......I still don't have them. For me, their track record isn't very good. This time of year they should be stocked with everything.

This is their busy time of year with everybody ordering more equipment and bee students ordering for the first time. If you place a phone order they'll tell you within a day when your order will arrive BEFORE you hang up the phone. Mann Lake and Brushy Mt. have done the same for me. I've used Betterbee a few times because their shipping for me is reasonable.