BEEKEEPERS CO-OP EXPERIENCE??

[Jason G in Tennessee]

I am interested in starting a beekeeper's co-op, but would like to talk with someone who has had experience in this.
Was it successful or not? What kinds of tips could you give me?
Did you work with the local farmers co-op or start a separate co-op?
Any info would be much appreciated.
Jason

[rainesridgefarm]

The problem with this is getting commitment. I know of 20 small beekeepers in my area that will order one or two packages each this year. I need about 70 packages, do any of them want to go in with me and make the order over 100 to get the price break? No, they do not think that far ahead. If they do not pay in advanced I have to lay out the cash to get them and then hope they will not change their minds. They all will buy the same packages from the same company but will pay $45.75 each instead of going in with me and paying $38. It is a great Idea if you can plan it out and get everyone to do it. I put a post on this board to buy 500 mediums from browning cut stock to see if anyone wanted to go in with me. We could save a lot of money, found a central point to meet and split it up, no takers. If you plan it well it will work. Another problem comes when you get 30 calls the day before it arrives and then they want to get in on the deal and it is to late.

[Jason G in Tennessee]

Yes, I can see where that would be difficult.
You know, I was wanting to place an order for 10 entire hives with two brood chambers and two supers and the shipping was going to be ungodly!
I am sorry I missed your post!
Any plans to try getting that going again?
Jason

[BULLSEYE BILL]

I REALLY like Browning Cut Stock. So far I have ordered eighty mediums, I am still assembling the last forty.

What I like:

Commercial looks like select, very few boards with knots, and knots are tight.

Shipping, order at least forty and they will send it truck rate, MUCH cheaperand nicely banded on a pallet, (which I use too).

No holes, if you ask them, they will not pre-punch the starter holes. I like to glue AND screw, usually the holes are not exactly where I want them, that makes my counter sink off center. Ok, so I am annal, but I take pride in my workmanship.

Price. Best price and best quality.

Fit, they always fit together.

[rainesridgefarm]

Hi Bullseye

How much was the frieght?

[BULLSEYE BILL]

I'll have to get back with you on that. I do not remember right off and my receipts are at work. I'll look it up tomorrow and reply then.

[bamabee]

who has contact info on Browning cut stock?

[BULLSEYE BILL]

Every ABJ and Bee Culture has an ad in it for
Browning Cut Stock
1571 Hwy. 3
Juliaetta, Id. 83535
Ph 208-276-3494
Fax 3491

[Jason G in Tennessee]

Let's get a group order and save some money on the Browning cut stock. I have enough money to pitch in fo 10 complete hives with two brood chambers and two supers with the frames and 5 complete nucs with frames.
Anybody interested???

[db_land]

Jason,
Good idea, but it seems to me you need to be talking with other beekeepers within a couple of hours driving of Clarksville, TN. IMHO a co-op and/or combined orders are practical only for localized groups.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

DB is right, if I were to order with you, how would I save over a direct order? There would be shipping to you or a central place, and then more shipping to get them to me. Not cost effective.

You have a good size order that qualifies for truck rates already. Perhaps someone in your area could combine with you.

[Jason G in Tennessee]

I was thinking that if we got enough orders we could drive up and get them and then have meeting points along the way to disperse the orders at centralized locations.
I know we have enough people on this board that would live within an hour or two of the route between here and there. We could get phone numbers to set appointment times and locations.
JG in TN