Ok so I'm pretty sure I know what to think of this.

[Bee Happy]

I should probably start by saying - I almost put this in coffee house, but if any newbees stumble on this post they should probably know that starter kits can be had for tons less.
I had a range of reactions to this site - most of them would be impolite to repeat in this forum. The only thing that stops me from flat-out calling this guy a criminal is that there's no law against how much you charge for your product, and no reason people can't value your product on the lovely warm feeling they get in buying it. - other than that I think the word ripoff is the most polite summary I can use. (although if anyone wants to pay me what he's asking -I'll send the bees too.)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/306100130/the-bees-of-crockett

[wd]

Just looks like an attempt to raise funds to exapnd while promoting his practice and product line to me

but yes, one could set up 1 hive for much  less.

[Kathyp]

i think buying any starter kit is a waste.  better to shop the sales and buy just what you need.  leave that extra stuff behind and spend the money on things like boxes.  :)

[T Beek]

I suppose that raises the question(s);  :? How did you get started in beekeeping?  Perhaps "that" should be the Question. Now there's a winter humdrum Q.,  Perhaps. 

Did ya buy a kit?  Did somebody get ya started?  Did ya build yer own stuff?  Was there a club or at least another beek who ya could talk to when ya needed some information? 

You know..... what were your first bees in and when and how'd ya get em and did ya keep em alive?? Or did ya have to start all over ...how many times?  What do you think?

thomas

[Michael Bach]

Some knucklehead pledged $1000....are you serious.

I suppose if you want to get into the field and you want to get into it in a big way.......you have to beg.

[T Beek]

C'mon;
"Caveat Emptor" people!

[Tommyt]

I know a Beek that does this  :?I thought when I read his card, It was a Joke but he in fact does just about the same as the guy in the Video,Maybe its a family member :-D

Tommyt

I should probably start by saying - I almost put this in coffee house, but if any newbees stumble on this post they should probably know that starter kits can be had for tons less.
I had a range of reactions to this site - most of them would be impolite to repeat in this forum. The only thing that stops me from flat-out calling this guy a criminal is that there's no law against how much you charge for your product, and no reason people can't value your product on the lovely warm feeling they get in buying it. - other than that I think the word ripoff is the most polite summary I can use. (although if anyone wants to pay me what he's asking -I'll send the bees too.)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/306100130/the-bees-of-crockett

[Bee-Bop]

I bet he don't even include a Thank You note !

And to think of all the years and work I had to do too get what I have.   :'(

Bee-Bop

[Scadsobees]

It's all about the marketing and appealing to people.  Those moved by the pretty displays (and it looks like he put a lot of time into it) and the emotional feelings will buy.

The rational people will do a little research and find out what they need to know and spend $10 and get 3x as much honey that is just as good anywhere else.

We need both kinds of people, I just choose not to be the first kind.

He's mostly honest about what he's presenting (except for some out-of-proportion emotional appeals), I don't think that there's anything criminal there.

[Bee Happy]

to take a swat at replying to several: Someone gave me a few hive bodies out of which I salvaged one complete hive, and then I bought an unpainted, unassembled beginner kit - which did cost a fair bit less than its components (especially without shipping)
Yeah part of me admires the very skillful marketing, while the "buyer" in me (wins) is pretty offended at how hugely close to con artistry the value for the $5K package comes (I think I paid $165 and it came with bees, but not with 2 cases of honey)

[rdy-b]

 the small mountain in the pic is where i live --i can tell you a little about crocket -if some one gave me a bee yard in crocket i would not but bees on it-- there is not enough forage for a yard of one hundred -and the small town is surrounded by                 OIL REFINERIES
this person is living in the fiariseas with his outlook of bees and human nature-I have seen many others try things of this nature --such as renting beehives to the public and caring for them with a fee atached and only to receive small jar of honey -but I have never seen such a bold insult to peoples judgment as this- RDY-B

[edward]

 :flyingpig: :lau: :flyingpig: :lau: :flyingpig: :lau: :flyingpig: :lau: :flyingpig: :lau: :flyingpig:

[JP]

A small part of me says this is brilliant, a much larger part of me says he is a wolf in sheep's clothing and all the innocent sheep need to be warned perhaps even armed with weapons to destroy the wolf.

C'est la vie.


...JP

[AllenF]

This is no more than beeks that ask people to sponsor or adopt a hive for a price with a reward of a little honey.   

[rdy-b]

This is no more than beeks that ask people to sponsor or adopt a hive for a price with a reward of a little honey.   

yes but this one wants 20 GRAND for 100 hive sustainable bee-yard -so he claims -big jump from 3-4 hives at others expense-I wonder who he is relay targeting with this -why dosent he do it the old fashion way and work for it go from 5 to 25 then 50 then 100-very fishy this one -did i mention the area wont sustain the honey production he claims--SWAMP LAND FOR SALE-RDY-B

[AllenF]

What about the guy that came around a while back wanting us to vote for him to get some Pepsi money or something like that ($25,000 I believe he wanted).  If someone wants to give me the cash I will start up 100 hives this spring.

How much Tupelo you got growing in that swamp land for sale?

[rdy-b]

What about the guy that came around a while back wanting us to vote for him to get some Pepsi money or something like that ($25,000 I believe he wanted).  If someone wants to give me the cash I will start up 100 hives this spring.

How much Tupelo you got growing in that swamp land for sale?

wonder what makes him think he deserves this -incentives of jars of honey-and starter hives-there are more deserving opportunities out there-Every year i get a phamplet about buying a gift for a family in a impoverished country-the gifts range in cost -they are a milk goat -also watterbufalo-laying hens-and there is even a opportunity to buy bees and material for a top bar hive-im talking dirt floors and shanty shacks -and this CLOWN wants 20 GRAND
*good lord all mighty * Hello-RDY-B
http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.204586/

[Michael Bach]

This piece still makes be laugh.

For years I have scaled the hills and ravines of the terrain surrounding the town in every direction, following my bees to their foraging sites. I've scouted out their floral sources and when they visit them. With this awareness, I isolate specific seasonal honey according to the blooming cycle of principal floral sources.

I know now why he needs $20k....he must be unemployed.

[fish_stix]

Wonder if you get a bag of that dope he's smoking along with your miniature jar of "artisinal" honey?  :roll:

[buzzbee]

I need more hives, a honey house,a bigger truck to move more hives. Oh,and will all this extra work,I need an assistant!!
  Please kindly send a donation to:

  Thank you,especially in this season of giving!!