Help- Do I buy established hives or start from scratch? Need to decide tonight.

[jpryce]

Hey there,
  I've been reading up on beekeeping for a month now.  Learned alot but have a long ways to go.  There is a local listing for someone who has to get rid of all his hives because a neighbor called the county on him.  He is selling each hive(brood and super full of honey) for $200.  We were going to buy 2 hives.  The bees are a italian/russian cross.  What do you think?
Thanks,
Julie

[Kathyp]

the breed is less important than the condition of the hives.  i would not spend that kind of money without having an experienced beekeeper go through them with you.  the only exception would be if he'd had a state inspector look at them recently.

at this time of the year, if they are not queen-right and healthy, with good stores, you will be wasting your money.

[woodchopper]

 If it was me I'd consider buying new just for the reason you can buy the equipment based on your needs. Depending on how many hives you want to have I don't see this as such a great deal that you have to rush into it tonight. Take your time to do your research before you rush in. You don't want to end up like me with alot of beekeeping supplies that you may never use. :-D

[Animator]

I am guessing that in your area, winter isn't much of a problem. I think the price us a bit high.  Google search for a bee club in your area.  I know San Fran is full of them. Get a starter kit and a mentor and get rolling.  I bought a starter kit from Mann lake.  At 4 months I started on my first hive.  Now I am at 100 hives.  Take your time.  Beekeeping is truly master/apprentice skill ( in my opinion).
Mike   

[jpryce]

Thanks guys,
  I called him back and told them we're gonna wait.  I'm feeling totally rushed.  I wouldn't know what to look for when I picked up the hives.  The guys knows I'm a complete novice and I'm afraid of being taken advantage of.  It didn't seem like a great deal at all and he wasn't willing to come down in price.
I'll wait and do it right.  I have my first beekeeping meeting on Wed night.  I'm hoping to find a mentor.
Thanks for your input
Julie

[iddee]

You made a smart move there, Julie. I bought 44 hives last fall. I lost over 25 of them over the winter. I am not a novice and the hives all looked very good. You never want to buy from someone getting out of the business. It is just too risky. There are too many things that can be hidden.

[riverrat]

good advice iddee I would never buy hives going into winter best to wait until spring at this point

[adgjoan]

I would be a little leary of someone saying the neighbors called the COUNTY on them about the bees.  Isn't it the city the neighbors would call to complain to?  I would buy in the spring not going into the winter.

[TwT]

if the county is making him get rid of them, call and tell him you would pay him $100 a hive and see if he takes it, if the county thing is true he might need to sale fast enough with out being fined of charged!

[Kathyp]

it's CA, my mother state.  the counties have as many silly rules as the towns do.  sadly, it is now the land of regulation and taxation....and don't even think about smoking!!!

[jpryce]

Hey there,
  I just want to say I was so relieved after I called the guy and told him we were not coming.  There were so many bad signs.  First, major miscommunication with the price.  His add said "Hives for sale $100"- will not split the hive minimun purchase 2 boxes.  I asked him if that meant $200 for a hive or $100.  I said I wanted 2 separate hives - he said that'd be $200.  When I called back for directions and time they said,  2 hives will be $400.  It's $100 per box.  He said I was getting 30 40 lbs of honey I could harvest right now.  I said that was the bees honey for the winter and he was clueless.  I asked how the bees would survive the winter if I took their only honey super?  He wasn't sure how to answer this. 
  The hives and bees would have been all packaged up and I'd have no way to look at the frames or even make sure there was a queen in the hive.  The queen could be 3 or 4 years old and may not survive winter.   
  I'm so grateful for the words of wisedom from all of you that responded.  I was kinda romantisizing sitting and looking up at my hives tomorrow and finally being a beekeeper.  Not that I'm not into doing it from scratch, the only thing that makes me nervous is ordering the bees and making sure I get good ones and picking them up on time from the post office.  I can't wait to handle them and put them in their new hive.

Thanks again,
Julie

[deejaycee]

You did a good thing, Julie.

One suggestion - see if there are any local beekeeping clubs about.  Go along to a meeting or just get chatting with a club stalwart and put the word out that you want to get a couple of hives and ask for a recommendation of who might be willing to sell.

We bought our first hive from a retired lady in the club who needed to cut down her commitment (she had 3, was selling one) because she was looking after her disabled husband.  Ordinarily that might have raised all sorts of red flags about how long she'd struggled on for and not looked after them as well as she might have.  But, through the club recommendation we ascertained her high level of experience, her high level of involvement with the club, and her willingness to ask for help and ready availability of help to her.   That hive couldn't have come from better hands.

A year later we went back and took her two remaining hives off her hands.   All three were in beautiful condition with excellent healthy stock and are among our highest performers.

There are some good deals and good people out there, but there are also enough good liars that I tend to need someone else's confirmation of their 'goodness'.

[JWPick]

Hi Julie. I also think you did the right thing(s). I also believe there are some honest people you can purchase the items you want or need. But don't be in a rush to become a beek. IMO I think you (as in my own situation) should start with one to two hives, as well as new nucs of bees and queens for each hive. This way you get to experience and witness the wonderful lessons the bees can show you. You will be much happier and blessed when being patient and not attempting to take on too much all at once. I just think you would truly appreciate the little things that might miss with two hives that appear to be at full capacity going into winter. Also, you have the opportunity to pick the hives and equipment you feel you may need from all of your studies, questions, posts, and hard work (not to mention your own hard earned money). You will also get the opportunity to decide what race(s) of bees you would enjoy. The experience and knowledge you can/wil receive from this Forum, and your local Club, is insurmountable! You will meet new beeks like yourself, as well as veteran beeks who can assist and guide you with hands on experiences (not to mention the possibilities of them actually inspecting a possible buy of hives and bees with you) and making reccommendations of equipment and fellow beeks to purchase from or just help them in order to gain some that hands on experience. Best of luck!

[Animator]

I agree- plus there are so many people that will let you take a split or make a split for you.  Hang out with someone, help them and more than likely you will be rewarded with some honey and some bees.  Have a small starter kit ready.