selling a hive

[tedh]

Hey Everyone,
  A guy has asked me to sell him a hive.  He wants the bottom board, 2 deeps, 2 medium supers, all the drawn frames, inner cover, tele cover and the bees themselves.  The whole hive.  How do you go about pricing that?  I'm not sure I want to do this at all but if I do I sure don't want to hose myself in the process.  Thanks, Ted

[Wandering Man]

Well, if you were RWeaver, you would be asking for $600, and that's without a second brood chamber and honey super:

https://www.rweaver.com/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=158

Think of your cost not only in materials, but also time and maintenance (treatment, feeding, etc.)

[Jen]

Hi Ted, I'm with Wman, except I was thinking $800, I have read the $800 price from others who bought an established hive that size. Wman added the time, energy, and I add the varroa treatments, and sugar costs to keep them alive during the winter.

The question I'm wondering is... Does this fellow have any idea about beekeeping? Does he know how to take care of a hive that big and well established? Will this hive be going to a neglective owner?

Ideally, beekeeping should start with one hive box and build up... to learn, make mistakes, understand what the bees need.

But I realize too that we don't have the full story on this fellow or situation.

Ted, I'm asking these questions because whenever I've asked questions you have always been forthright with your advice. Your advice matters to me 

[rober]

depending on the condition of the equipment average price around here is $350.00-$450.00. there's a guy here that's moving to a another state that's selling some for $250.00. what's crazy about those prices is that the average cost of a nuc is $175.00. 
what's your cost & what's your time worth? depending on where you buy.............
bottom board-=$25.00
deep box-$15.00 x 2=$30.00
frames- $.85 if you buy 100=$17.00
wax foundation- $1.50=$30.00
inner cover=$15.00
outer cove=$25.00
paint plus time
bees =??

[tedh]

Thanks Everyone!

I started running numbers and this is what I've come up with:
I could theoretically split the hive into 4 nucs, so, 1 nuc for $125, three nucs for $95 each ($125-$30 cost of queen = $95)
20 medium frames and foundation = $40 +-
Bottom board, 2 deeps, 2 mediums, inner cover, tele cover, all home made = $60 +-
Total = $510

I dunno.  I was talking with my dear sweet wife and I/we had the same questions and concerns Jen has.  Agreeing with Jen, I think he should start with a nuc.  If he would rather not or doesn't have the skill, tools or time, to build equipment, he can order from Dadant and pay just under $300 for their expanded hive. Plus smoker, veil, hive tool, etc.

I really want to be helpful to newer keeps, as others have been helpful to me but this may be a hive to far.  I'd willingly sell him a nuc at a super amigo drastic discount price, but a whole hive?  I'm not sure it would be in his, my, or the bees best interest.

Other thoughts I should consider?  Thanks, Ted

[Jen]

You're a good man Ted, I'm glad you are taking this time to do what is right for the bees and you! ~Hugs

[Mikey N.C.]

Hey ted,
I'll take a couple of those el cheapo nucs

[tedh]

Stop on by Mikey! 

[Mikey N.C.]

Be there in a few

[SmokeyBee]

Mikey,

Get two and swing through SC on the way home!

[yes2matt]

Thanks Everyone!

I started running numbers and this is what I've come up with:
I could theoretically split the hive into 4 nucs, so, 1 nuc for $125, three nucs for $95 each ($125-$30 cost of queen = $95)
20 medium frames and foundation = $40 +-
Bottom board, 2 deeps, 2 mediums, inner cover, tele cover, all home made = $60 +-
Total = $510

I dunno.  I was talking with my dear sweet wife and I/we had the same questions and concerns Jen has.  Agreeing with Jen, I think he should start with a nuc.  If he would rather not or doesn't have the skill, tools or time, to build equipment, he can order from Dadant and pay just under $300 for their expanded hive. Plus smoker, veil, hive tool, etc.

I really want to be helpful to newer keeps, as others have been helpful to me but this may be a hive to far.  I'd willingly sell him a nuc at a super amigo drastic discount price, but a whole hive?  I'm not sure it would be in his, my, or the bees best interest.

Other thoughts I should consider?  Thanks, Ted

How old is his belt? Man with a new belt spends your hive price on clothes every season.

What's he driving? I mean, if it's a lease, he's primed for a "service contract."



Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk

[tedh]

Other thoughts I should consider?  Thanks, Ted
[/quote]How old is his belt? Man with a new belt spends your hive price on clothes every season.

What's he driving? I mean, if it's a lease, he's primed for a "service contract."



Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk


[/quote]

Scott said to bill him $650 and tell the guy, "for that price I'll include lessons"!  Gotta love that!  Ted

[yes2matt]

Get it if they got it.