How do companies compare on shipping quality?

[isaberg]

I was just thinking about this today after getting two smallish orders from two different bee companies. The one from Mann Lake was in a HUGE box, really well packed (obsessively packed, really - each item individually wrapped and taped in layers of paper!), and showed up in two days (so yeah, it is in-state, so that's cheating). The one from Betterbee was all the stuff, both heavy and fragile, tossed in a medium box with no padding whatsoever, and (no surprise) some resultant breakage, which they want to blame on UPS, about three weeks after I ordered.

Now, this could totally be a fluke. Every company has a bad day and shipping messups, and distance and time has a lot to do with things. But I got to thinking about how big a percentage of my beekeeping money goes to shipping, and what is the point of trying to be cheap and spending all my time figuring out who has the cheapest shipping on the same item, if I still have to call around to get replacements for breakage. So I just thought I'd ask, what has your experience been with different companies?

I'm not looking for anyone to badmouth any particular company; I'm just curious as to where I'm going to get the best shipping for my money.

Thanks!

[knadai]

The only time I mail ordered was from Dadant. I ordered online on a Monday, July 16th. The charge appeared on my credit card on the 18th. The order was shipped on the 24th, arrived on the 26th. One item was backordered.

The box was brand new, packed well, and they didn't use packing peanuts, which I greatly appreciated. The backordered item arrived a week later.

I was pleased with the packing quality. I don't know if waiting over a week to ship is typical in this industry. I live about a two hour drive from their Albion branch. I had though they could ship same day and I would have it the following day. Guess not.

[Jeffzhear]

"...The one from Betterbee was all the stuff, both heavy and fragile, tossed in a medium box with no padding whatsoever, and (no surprise) some resultant breakage, which they want to blame on UPS, about three weeks after I ordered."...

"I'm not looking for anyone to badmouth any particular company;..."

Did you call Betterbee to discuss the issue and what remedy did they offer? I suppose if they don't make it right, much to your satisfaction, then you don't deal with them in the future...

[drobbins]

I usually deal with Brushy since they're the closest
fast, well packed and good customer service
plus close so they're fast

Dave

[JC]

Let's face it; shipping can easily be 20% to 30% of the cost of your order. You need to do everything that you can to reduce that percentage. Here is my tip for the day: Ask the company to call you back with the ACTUAL shipping charges. This is especially important if you are ordering multiple items.

One company recently quoted me $17 to ship one empty “bee box,” and $21 shipping to add some more stuff. I asked the company to put everything into the one empty "bee box," and to call me back with the actual charges. The actual total shipping cost came to only $15! This beekeeping company was honest; they credited my credit card for $6.

[berkshire bee]

I've gotten some stuff from Brushy Mountain that was well packed and shipped fast. I usually buy from Betterbee because they have good prices and are local for me (hr and 1/4 away) The second or third time I went there, they knew me by name, and I've always had great service. Was buying some essential oils when I was there this spring. One was out of stock and they shipped it free when it came in. Haven't had a problem with anything the've ever shipped. It seems like they would replace a broken item and then fight it out with UPS themselves, although I know there are certain steps that need to be taken when filing a claim etc. Maybe give them another chance and stress that you want items well packed. They are Good people up there in Greenwich!

[shughes]

I ordered from several bee companies this year (first year beekeeper) and I remember thinking earlier in the year how steep shipping costs were. I understand that beekeeping companies need to make a business but most of my orders seemed like they could be shipped more efficiently. Seems like it would be in their best interest to keep those costs as low as possible but maybe there are some shipping rules enforced by the shipping companies to grant insurance claims or some other fine print I just can't see as a consumer.

I also tried the tip JC mentioned about cramming as much equipment in a box and I found it depended on who was on the other line of the phone and to be honest I don't like having to make an effort to ask everytime I need to place an order. For example some are willing to throw in some labels into a container box while others will charge you the extra 8 bucks to ship via USPS.

After many orders this year I have converged most of my bucks to Jack Tapp who is local to me and a distributor for Brushy Mountain. I also occassionally order from Miller as their shipping is quick and have had good expierences with phone conversations. Granted they are in my state but they usually get it out the same day where I usually have to wait with other beekeeping companies. I have been extremely satifisfied with both Brushy Mtn and Miller.

[Aisha]

In regard to Betterbee my recent experience was similar. I got a nuc with the lid broken at both ends (the two lips). They were clean breaks so I just glued them rather than dealing with returns.

Their woodenware also seemed dirtier to me whereas the Brushy Mt. woodenware I ordered was ready to be put in my living room as furniture, the pine was so clean and flawless. Faster delivery too.

[JC]

In regard to Betterbee my recent experience was similar. I got a nuc with the lid broken at both ends (the two lips). They were clean breaks so I just glued them rather than dealing with returns.

Their woodenware also seemed dirtier to me whereas the Brushy Mt. woodenware I ordered was ready to be put in my living room as furniture, the pine was so clean and flawless. Faster delivery too.

I visited Brushy Mountain and I was really impressed with their operation. Their woodworking shops were neat, clean and well organized. They seem to have that intangible, a good "corporate culture."

I would hope that Better Bee is improving. My experiences with them have been less than ideal. In the years past I would comment that Better Bee needs Better Employees. Attitudes and corporate culture are difficult to change.

[MapMan]

When it comes down to purchases of products that not of a specialized nature, I tend to chose a supplier that is located close to my location, even if the items cost a bit more. It makes sense that the further that box has to travel, the more the opportunity for breakage.

So, I have been buying beekeeping supplies from Mann Lake and B & B Honey Farm. They have both packaged the supplies very well, and I get the package overnight, since they use a local delivery service "Spee-Dee Delivery" which has offices in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and northern Illinois. Their shipping rates are probably the lowest in the nation - I know they beat UPS. And I live "in the middle of nowhere".

See: http://www.speedeedelivery.com/areas.html

MM

Oh, JC -- what does "exemplementary" mean? I can't find it in my Webster's.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

>-- what does "exemplementary" mean? I can't find it in my Webster's.

MM, it's a Cravenism, it means "top notch, or as good as it gets".
Cheers,

[MapMan]

Hey BB:

What does "Cravenism" mean - I can't find that in the dictionary either.

Regards,

MM

[drobbins]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/exemplary :)

Dave

[MapMan]

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/exemplary :)

Dave

Dave - you did an exemplary job of not finding "exemplementary".

MM

PS. Still trying to understand what "Cravenism" means...

[BULLSEYE BILL]

Humor, no matter how subtle, really loses a lot when it has to be explained. :rolleyes:

Cheers, Craven, lengthy stories with made up words.... ?

[MapMan]

Humor, no matter how subtle, really loses a lot when it has to be explained. :rolleyes:

Cheers, Craven, lengthy stories with made up words.... ?

Oh, sorry. Get it right. Clifford Clavin.:rolleyes:

MM

[berkshire bee]

[QUOTE=BULLSEYE BILL;255711]Humor, no matter how subtle, really loses a lot when it has to be explained. :rolleyes:

What do you mean by that? :)