How much should a hive cost?

[akaneo]

I am being offered 3 complete hives with screened bottom boards, hive body and a med. These hives are full of bees and all of the wax is drawn out. They are asking $350.00 per hive, is this a fare price?

Thanks,
Richard

[RayMarler]

I'm no expert on prices, but that seems a bit high to me, especially this time of year. From now to early/mid spring is the time when hive losses start up in earnest. Sounds to me like the seller wants to make a good profit now if possible, to ensure income instead of possible losses. Just my thoughts tho.

[TwT]

$350 a hive, wow, I will sale all mine for that price, think the range for that hive set-up is more like $165-$210, but like said above the price should be lower this time of year.this is just the average prices I have been hearing for story and half-2 story hives(double deeps).

[Mathispollenators]

I have 100 single hivebodies on 4 way pallets and I'm asking 130 per hive. All these are ready for a commercal operation and everything is less than 3 years old. So to answer your question no I don't think it's a fair price. And as some one else said it's not the best time of the year to buy bees. Now is the time for most of us to fix and repair stuff for next year.

[sqkcrk]

I wouldn't pay that much. I think you should shop around.

At one time a 2 story hive of bees was worth a can of honey. A 5 gallon container. So, today, by that standard a hive should sell for about $150.00. Then figure in how new the equipment is and the availability of bees in your area, maybe the figure goes up. I know a guy near me who has sold some hives for $200.00 and $250.00 each.

[BjornBee]

No hive in my mind is worth two pennies until I know the history of the operation, the age of the comb, and what chemicals have been used. Have they had AFB, CCD, etc.

Even the best situation you can come up with, that seems high. I also discount HEAVILY for fall hives as compared to springtime hive.

Look around. The right beekeeper, with the right hives, with the right price is out there. And you can get new equipment and make splits for far less. You may not get a honey crop as compared to buying hives, but that's not a given if the hives turn out to be bad anyways. If you did get a good crop, that still makes for some expensive honey.

I would pass just on the price alone at this point.

[Ravenseye]

I guess I would add one more thing. The price you are paying is a reflection of the cost of materials and resources, the time spent by the beekeeper building those hives up and the products that are in the hive (wax, honey, etc.). It's also a reflection of where those hives were located...good or bad. If you bring home three booming hives and put them in an area that is less ideal than where they came from, you'll still have three hives but they won't be what you bought. Of course, if they came from an area that has less resources than you have, your potential will be higher.

All the other comments are true as well. Just wanted to add something more. Personally, I'd want them but wouldn't spend that much money.

[Ross]

This is Florida. The winter price up north doesn't really apply down there. A 3# package will run you $100 or so next spring. A nuc is anybody's guess, but my guess is they will be up 50% or so due to gas and other expenses. My time and effort are worth something, so I would keep a hive instead of selling it at a discount over the cost of materials. The old patterns of hives worth less than spring nucs just won't work in this economy any more in my opinion. Some places may have a surplus of hives available, but not here. Is it worth that price, I don't know. Can you buy it cheaper locally?

[Eaglerock]

If you are wanting bees, wait until spring and buy them. I think a good price would depend on what all is there, hive cost, bees, queen and I would assume the beekeepers time. Having said that, however, I would think it would range between 130-200, but I totally agree with BjornBee, pennies. This late, the bee history, etc. Too much to little and it is too late.

Richard, Look to another local beekeeper and see what they would charge, and then do this in the spring. Check prices for new hives and buying bees. I am not sure if you have bees or are just getting into it. But if you are just starting- People like BjornBee sell queens and bees. They can be sent to you in the spring. You can check prices of hives and bees during the winter and plan your start.

[riverrat]

while the price to myself is high especially for fall hives. You are asking the wrong people. You need to ask yourself if the hives are worth it to you for the price. If you like what you see and your happy with the price then buy them. No matter the price it is worth no more to you than what you are willing to pay.;)

[iddee]

The value is up to the buyer, but just to have something to compare to, I am selling the same setup in NC for 150.00. They will be increased to 175.00 in Feb.

[akaneo]

The hives are 1/2 a mile from my house and I am closer to a lake and more plants than they are now. In my area they where selling 5 frame nucs in the spring for $200.00 and could not keep them in stock. I have known the guy selling them and he uses no chemicals what so ever and the most problems he has ever had in the 5 years I have been around him is he has had some wax moths in a couple of hives but he burnt them.

These hives are 2 years old brought up from nucs and requeened this spring. He got an average of 6 med boxes of honey off of each hive and left one box to sell with the bees.

I was thinking it was a little pricey but then I got to thinking if the other option is to get a 5 frame for $200.00 then I have to buy bottom boards hive bodys w/5 frames and foundation then a med w/10 frames and foundation and a top board, then I have to feed and to get them to build up to where these bees are now, much less the shipping cost on the woodenware, I would be around the same area that is why I wanted to ask the question here.

I already have 3 hives but I just got them by splitting one hive into three a few months ago so they are strong but not strong enough to split each again.

Thanks,
Richard

[riverrat]

I have known the guy selling them and he uses no chemicals what so ever and the most problems he has ever had in the 5 years I have been around him is he has had some wax moths in a couple of hives but he burnt them.


I question why someone would burn good equipment because of wax moths. You sure it wasnt fould brood.

[Tom G. Laury]

In Deland Bell honey is selling singles in 3yrs or less equip't for $100. Someone is telling you a lot of hooey.

[Ted n Ms]

I bought 3lb. package in june for 35.00

[sc-bee]

Sounds steep! Here in SC a 3lb package out of south Georgia (close to Fla.) was $58-65. You can figure the cost of new equipment, shipping etc.

And over the winter (if Fla. has one) is a good time to lose them.

[BjornBee]

I bought 3lb. package in june for 35.00


Don't be telling me that! Based on other comments, the price of my nucs are going up real fast... ;)

[BjornBee]

If you want to get cheap bees.....wasn't there some guy in Florida giving away bees. Had so many, I heard people were driving as far as Oregon or some far off distant land, all the way to Florida. I wonder what happened to that guy.... :doh:

[alpha6]

Oh for Pete's sake its a rip off for 350 per hive and so is 200 for a nuc. You should be able to get a 3/4 frame nuc for 60-70 bucks and a hive for 110 to 150 and that is two hive bodies deep.

Florida has tons of bees and I am sure you can find a person with morals to sell you a couple at decent prices. Check the bee rags, I am pretty sure I saw some guys with hives for sale in Florida.

[Black Creek]

i just bought a hive a month ago for $150. screened BB, one deep, one medium, new queen and the telescoping cover is made of cedar covered in galvanized metal. I'm very happy with it. I found others for $175 too. i went with the cheaper one.

[Sundance]

Oh for Pete's sake its a rip off for 350 per hive and so is 200 for a nuc. You should be able to get a 3/4 frame nuc for 60-70 bucks and a hive for 110 to 150 and that is two hive bodies deep.

Florida has tons of bees and I am sure you can find a person with morals to sell you a couple at decent prices. Check the bee rags, I am pretty sure I saw some guys with hives for sale in Florida.

Right on............... major rip.

[Romahawk]

Bought 5 nucs this spring for $65.00 each. The people I bought from told me they would be $75.00 next spring. These were 5 frame nucs.

[Tom G. Laury]

There is more than one way to get stung in the bee business

I've been trying to peddle 150 double deeps real nice right here in Almondia.

Quoting 175 in quantity sold 3 for 210 ea.

[TwT]

Oh for Pete's sake its a rip off for 350 per hive and so is 200 for a nuc. You should be able to get a 3/4 frame nuc for 60-70 bucks and a hive for 110 to 150 and that is two hive bodies deep.

Florida has tons of bees and I am sure you can find a person with morals to sell you a couple at decent prices. Check the bee rags, I am pretty sure I saw some guys with hives for sale in Florida.

finally a answer I couldn't agree more with, people can say what they want on here about price's here, there, and yonder, its not like each state is isolated, mail and shipping can do wonders, some might demand higher prices because they just want more for their bee's but 350 per hive and 200 for a nuc is way off. Living here in Ga. you can still buy packages for around 55-65 bucks and nucs are sold between 70-100 bucks each, not a for ride from florida if they are charging those prices. even with gas prices you would save even on shipping.

[Tom G. Laury]

If you move them a half mile to your place most of the fielders will return to former site.

[alpha6]

Quick plug for Tom's Bees. At 175 ea for the lot they would be worth it. You could pollinate there in Calf. and then with trucking to your location you would end up costing about 45 bucks ea which you could make up in honey that year or selling nucs by splitting them cause they would be strong out of Calf. I would have done it if I just hadn't bought out a business locally. Double deeps and if they are as strong as Tom says, it could be a nice deal for someone.

On another note...if you don't sell them this year I will be in a better position next year to get them from you Tom...so keep um healthy if you don't sell them. :thumbsup:

[Tom G. Laury]

Thanks Alpha! Best of luck next year will be here before we know it!

[doc25]

Does anyone have prices for Canada here? I'm in Saskatchewan and am curious about the prices. It seems we have to pay a bit more here.

[tecumseh]

there are about 1000 commercial bee keepers who overwinter in florida. any one of this thousand would be quite happy to sell you a hive for the same approximate price that iddee stated.

the downside is: 1) many of these are exposed to a lot of nasty stuff since their money is now largely made via pollination and 2) many (of the stated 1000) will try to sell their junk equipment to the unsuspecting.

a bit of knowledge will insure you somewhat in regards to both these limitation.

Lastly don't be overly confused in regard to some of the stated (unrealistically low) prices on this thread.

[vajerzy]

I think 125- 150 is fair. You don't have the added issue of whether it may die in winter.