What to do about a nuc I sold back in April?

[Yankee11]

As with everything in beekeeping. I am learning with everything new I venture into. Selling nucs, no different.

I am thinking of writing up something to give with each nuc I sell next year, it will have steps for setup and care for the first several weeks after getting their
new nuc home. Kinda like with a new puppy or goldfish. Included in the "Instruction Sheet" will be verbage about the extent of the warranty once the nuc leaves my property.

Might word it a little differently than their tail lights being out of site.  brooks.

[LazyBkpr]

Oh good grief..   You know, its not really the time to go there, but in a way it IS the time, the time you spent wondering what happened and why, and would you end up eating the cost of another nuc... etc..

   I like the idea of a pamphlet..  Just wonder how many would read it.. Maybe read it in front of them then hand it to them to remind them..   I would keep the tail light warranty by all means..   SHOW them what you have, what you are selling, and tell them NOT to take it if they are not perfectly confident and satisfied, because $h*# happens to bees even if they do everything right.

[Yankee11]

I'm thinking the ones that don't read it probably don't need to.

Like Perry says, seems to be a lot of new people getting into it. They are the ones that may not understand, and being new, I bet they would read it. Everyone on this forum would not have to read it, but we are not the ones we would have to worry about either.

I am just thinking out loud.

[iddee]

I'll take a hundred copies of it to pass out at the beginner beekeeper's course in Jan.

[apisbees]

Iddee there lies the problem. It is not the ones that have taken the beginner beekeeping course that are going to have the problem. It is the one's that only do enough research as to find or make equipment and where to buy packages or nucs from. I know a couple of beekeepers that will not sell a nuc to a person until they take his beginning beekeeping course, or he knows you have kept bees.

[lazy shooter]

After looking at that hive, I am appalled that anyone could be so derelict in their husbandry and complain about anything.  A couple of decades back, I would have given that guy a piece of my mind and more if he so desired. 

I agree with Iddee, give them free advice and council, but your warranty expires when your tail lights are no longer visible. 

I wish I had the hive that Yankee11 showed in his picture.  If I lived close to that guy, I would give him his money back and take the hive.

I have found most people to be honest, and it seems to me that my fellow beekeepers are more honest and giving of their time and resources than any other group of folks that I have been associated with.  This client is one of those spoiled people that think that nothing is their fault.  He has what I call the "victim mentality."

Anyway, I'm done with this thread, but it has been an interesting one, and I have learned from it.

[Lburou]

.....I am thinking of writing up something to give with each nuc I sell next year, it will have steps for setup and care for the first several weeks after getting their
new nuc home....

Randy Oliver put his NUC instructions online for beginners, (click here to see his page).  HTH   

[brooksbeefarm]

I have never sold nucs, and have people beg me to sell them some. I have heard just about all the problems (like those mentioned above) and more, which makes me wonder if it's worth it or not? I like to meet and help new beekeepers get started, but with all the irons i have in the fire it probably would be a aggravation i don't need . Still debating if i want to start next spring selling nucs Jack

[Yankee11]

Thanks Lb.

Brooks,
Selling nucs really was a good experience. I have sold about 15 or 16 and not had any problems. This one was a little headache but I will learn to handle these kind out as I go. All the other have gone extremely well. So, 1 out of 15 is not bad.

My real job is an on site service technician. Every time I hear from a customer, they always have a problem, or they would not be calling me. 100% of the time. So 1 issue out of 15 is a big change for me. 

I actually heard from another customer last night telling me how good her 2 hives are doing. Just had to put on her first supers. Just funny how she happened to reach out to me on the same day this other happened.

[LazyBkpr]

No news is good news..   It IS nice to get good feedback once in a while though.

[riverbee]

excellent thread here yankee!