Which suppliers raised prices for 2014

[DLMKA]

Lookes like several of the big beekeeping supply places really jacked up their prices for 2014. Walter T Kelley is following suit with Mann Lake and offering free shipping on orders over $200 but I'm sure prices have gone up to compensate. It may make it a better deal still if you are making relatively small orders and still meet the min for free shipping but will hurt the serious sideliner and bigger.  Mann Lake raised prices significantly on several items.  Anyone else?

I was looking at foundation on the Dadant website today and it looks like they haven't changed much on the items I need still but maybe they just haven't updated the website until they ship 2014 catalogs out.

I'm hoping to buy an extractor this spring since I don't really feel like extracting honey from 20 hives with a 2-frame, handcrank extractor from the club. Hoping Maxant hasn't turned up the prices on extractors this year too much.

[Perry]

What size extractor you looking for, a 20 framer?
I believe you are right about price hikes too. 

[DLMKA]

I probably ought to just get the 20 frame and be done with it. 

I did post on Dadant's Facebook page and they responded that the pricing will change (go up) when they ship new catalogs. I need to order 50lbs of wired wax foundation, better do that quick.

[Bakersdozen]

If the big outfits are raising prices, the smaller businesses will no doubt be following soon. 

[lazy shooter]

Our government is buying 80 or so billion dollars of debt each month.  Our country is using food grade grain to produce ethanol.  Surely, everyone should realize that the dollar is cheaper each moment that passes.  Almost everything one buys will go up in price.  You just have to sell your honey at an ever increasing price.  Electronics is the only thing that comes to my mind as being cheaper as time passes.  Wait until you replace your vehicles. 

Were I in beekeeping for a profit, I would plan on increasing the price of my product by at least five percent per annum.

[Perry]

Well, I just noticed Beemaid out of Manitoba just raised some of their rates.
FW Jones frames (deeps) were at 95 cents per 100, and I see that it will now cost $1:03 per 100!
Foundation just took a leap too.
http://www.beemaidbeestore.com/browse.php?txtCatID=54
I may switch to the Lewis and Son version and save 20 cents a frame. They're not as nice a frame, but for the price I can overlook some of it.
What's really scary is that the actual costs of a wooden frame with plastic foundation is now higher in cost than a quality plastic frame, no muss, no fuss, no building! 

[Walt B]

I get suspicious of "free shipping" when there are several purchase options, as is the case with beekeeping supplies. I set up a spreadsheet with the items I want to purchase in the first column, and each subsequent column has the supplier and the cost for the items, including those that charge shipping. The columns are totaled and the least expensive option is readily visible.

But then again, I have a lot of extra time. 

Walt

[DLMKA]

I get suspicious of "free shipping" when there are several purchase options, as is the case with beekeeping supplies. I set up a spreadsheet with the items I want to purchase in the first column, and each subsequent column has the supplier and the cost for the items, including those that charge shipping. The columns are totaled and the least expensive option is readily visible.

But then again, I have a lot of extra time. 

Walt

Free shipping works out in favor if you have a relatively small order of heavy/bulky items like woodenware. You start talking serious sideliner type orders with several hundred frames and 20+ hive bodies or supers then going to a cheaper supplier and pay LTL freight works in your advantage. Dadant did a free shipping promo after Thanksgiving and I took advantage using normal catalog price.

[efmesch]

I'm hoping to buy an extractor this spring since I don't really feel like extracting honey from 20 hives with a 2-frame, handcrank extractor from the club. Hoping Maxant hasn't turned up the prices on extractors this year too much.

Don't forget to look at Craig's list and in e-bay etc. to see what's available for the option of a used extractor.   I've read of some terrrific bargains that some beeks have made, getting top quality, almost new extractors for a fraction of their real value.