Betterbee

I am interested in this, too.

I don't know about new management but a friend of mine confirmed his order for pick up on friday, to pick up sat. AM. drove in and all kinds of people milling around, one person had a portable pc, connected to bb's web site and said they were closed due to power failure. friend said gee Micky D's and the house next door had power, the server they were talking to had power, if they didn't have power would seem some one would show up and hand out the orders to people that had driven 2 and three hours to get there stuff. My friend canceled his order but was still out the gas and time, would seem they have lost a few more customers.

I guess someone was trying to save on shipping? Maybe next time someone will consider the cost of shipping worth it, considering what one would spend if "the power is out."

I like it when you call in a order, they say yes you can pick it up. You show up and they only have a few of the things on your order and say you can pick the rest up next week. Will not happen again 4 hour oneway. Tony

This took place 3 years ago.

Coulda taken place 25 years ago. That was my experience then. One reason I stopped patronizing BB. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice ya can't fool me. Or whatever Bush said. :)

Way back in March, I placed a very large frame and foundation order. Over 1000 frames and a few hundred pounds of foundation. Called Friday to order for Saturday pick-up. Everything went perfect.

If you went to the Walter T Kelley dealer in Woodbury CT you could have shaved an hr off of the trip ;)

Called last week for 24 cases of various jars, for pick up the following day. Saw a few new faces when I got there. Everyone was friendly and my order was waiting for me when I arrived.

I have heard that there have been some personell changes starting at the top. I hope this indicates a positive change in quality of service for BetterBee.

I have been buying my supplies from betterbee for 12 years and I am a very satisfied customer. My only complaint is that they are often out of of stock of wooden ware just when I need it, but I live close to them and can drop in anytime. Customer service is A+ in my experience, but my dealings have always been in person.

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Originally Posted by bluegrass

If you went to the Walter T Kelley dealer in Woodbury CT you could have shaved an hr off of the trip ;)

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Who is the dealer?

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Originally Posted by sqkcrk

I have heard that there have been some personell changes starting at the top.

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Justin is gone, and his mother has taken over.

I hope everything goes well for her. It is unforturnate for the business. I'm not angry, I've just moved on to other dealers that treat me well. The same thing happened many years ago when Sears & Roebuck was the only "game" in town, they treated customers pretty bad. I swore when competition came to town I would be gone. Competition came and I moved on. No one will look out for your satisfaction better then you will.

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Originally Posted by The Honey Girl's Boy

I hope everything goes well for her. It is unforturnate for the business. I'm not angry, I've just moved on to other dealers that treat me well. The same thing happened many years ago when Sears & Roebuck was the only "game" in town, they treated customers pretty bad. I swore when competition came to town I would be gone. Competition came and I moved on. No one will look out for your satisfaction better then you will.

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I shared the feeling that the business going to hell was very unfortunate; especially as I knew Bob Stevens reasonably well. And I also moved on. But based on the changes mentioned here decided to give them another try. This morning I called and after being on hold for 5 minutes and 45 seconds got a message saying 'please leave a message'. Based on this I'd say needed changes are a work in process; I will try again.

Just announced that Betterbee has been sold to new owners. I wish the Best of luck to Mrs Stevens and to the new guys.

Shipping is God Awful expensive! I will boycott till free shipping.

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Originally Posted by berkshire bee

I wish the Best of luck to Mrs Stevens and to the new guys.

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One of the new guys is an old friend, and recently retired veterinarian. He's a great beekeeper, winters nucleus colonies, and is a member of the Vermont Queen Rearing Project. Betterbee is going to promote locally raised stock, and will be running classes on producing local bees and queens. They've inquired about buying overwintered nucleus colonies and queens from my apiary. I look forward to working with Jack and the rest. The Northeast needs a company like Betterbee, and I hope they can salvage their business after years of neglect and poor customer relations.

I look forward to this Thread turning towards the positive. May it bee so.

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Originally Posted by Michael Palmer

One of the new guys is an old friend, and recently retired veterinarian. He's a great beekeeper, winters nucleus colonies, and is a member of the Vermont Queen Rearing Project. Betterbee is going to promote locally raised stock, and will be running classes on producing local bees and queens. They've inquired about buying overwintered nucleus colonies and queens from my apiary. I look forward to working with Jack and the rest. The Northeast needs a company like Betterbee, and I hope they can salvage their business after years of neglect and poor customer relations.

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http://www.betterbee.com/About-Us


BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

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Originally Posted by sqkcrk

I look forward to this Thread turning towards the positive. May it bee so.

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Do they ever offer free shipping during any part of the year? Or should I scratch them off my list? I waiting to try to give them a chance, but my patience is waning quickly. :s