Author Topic: Selling Price For Nucs and Full Hives (Read 22045 times)

riverbee · « **Reply #40 on:** April 08, 2016, 11:27:45 pm »

"When you sell a good product, there is no price too high.

When you sell a bad product, there is no price cheap enough.

Always give good merchandise and service, but always demand a sufficient price for what you put into it."

what iddee said jen.

i have spent a great deal of funds on nucs to add/supplement my own bee hoarding........

guess last year i spent 130 each on 4 frame nucs; seller gave me a discount (i am a long time customer for queens and nucs) normally sell for more. those nucs i purchased are full blown hives right now, made it through winter and are just waiting for our cold and snow to get gone to get going.

Jen · « **Reply #41 on:** April 13, 2016, 12:33:09 pm »

Reconsidering selling my nucs for $150, my nucs are mediums, less bees than a deep nuc...

I read that it doesn't matter if the nuc is a med or a deep, same amount of work went into it, same price.

What do you think?

apisbees · « **Reply #42 on:** April 13, 2016, 01:45:28 pm »

Quote

Reconsidering selling my nucs for $150, my nucs are mediums, less bees than a deep nuc...

I read that it doesn't matter if the nuc is a med or a deep, same amount of work went into it, same price.

What do you think?

I was going to stay clear of this topic but you asked the question.
This is true from the the economic side of being the seller. When it comes to the potential from the buyers point of view a deep nuc contains 33% more resources over a medium. In the terms of potential build up This is huge. In building up a 5 frame medium will be slower and take longer than a 4 frame deep.
Even on the economics of making up nucs, In a deep hive you may have 10 to 12 frames of brood to choose from. with the use of medium for supers the available frames will be 15 to 18 in the same size colony.
So you pull 2 nucs out of a deep colony so 6 frames of brood the hive housed in 3 mediums will allow 9 frames to be pulled thus your economic return will be greater. It may be the same amount of work for the beekeeper but not for the resources that are being provided by the bees to each nuc.

Jen · « **Reply #43 on:** April 13, 2016, 02:54:46 pm »

Thanks Apis

hubby and I have been discussing this. We're thinking that $150 is too much to ask for medium nucs in our area. I'm thinking $130 with $20 deposit for boxes. $130 if they bring their own boxes.

iddee · « **Reply #44 on:** April 13, 2016, 06:18:14 pm »

I disagree completely. Everybody has deep nucs for sale. Few, if any, have mediums for sale. I would price 3 brood, 1 feed, 1 empty deep at 150. I think 4 mediums of brood and one medium of feed should sell for 160. Where else can they get a medium nuc if they are going all mediums. Have you ever tried installing a deep nuc into medium hives?

Jen · « **Reply #45 on:** April 13, 2016, 06:30:12 pm »

Hmm, interesting perspective Iddee

I'm still listening

CBT · « **Reply #46 on:** April 13, 2016, 08:34:19 pm »

Around here a nuc is 5 frames of brood and bees. May be a more than what others give. Would be interested in how other areas deal them out. Saw a few on here.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #47 on:** April 15, 2016, 09:42:15 pm »

yeah, 5 frames with brood and bees, though not necessarily FULL frames of brood.. they need to have the pollen/honey ring around them, and usually they get transfered from the nuc into a ten frame box, so the need for an empty frame is not there.
And... chisel? Anyone that tries to chisel down my price I nod saely and then raise the price as much as they lowered it... If they ask me why, I tell them so we can meet in the middle......

Jen · « **Reply #48 on:** April 15, 2016, 11:14:30 pm »

I'm going to be facing this selling of nucs thing soon. This is a real good thread for those of us just starting out

rookie2531 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 16, 2016, 06:06:42 am »

Hey again Jen, I am going to pipe in. As this is my second season selling nucs, first year, I asked 125 and sold out. Only posted in one Facebook group. This year, posted on Craigslist for my queens that I grafted last year (overwintered nuc) 170. They sold out in 2 weeks in January. I will sell more nucs this spring for 140. Don't know how many yet, have two sold already just from selling woodenware. But aside from the funds that help keep my hobby growing, I am getting to know and become friends with good people. That is the very best part. I am staying in touch and enjoying their adventures too. One guy I sold a nuc to last year, which was his first year. I saw him post a video yesterday of him catching a swarm. Great to see a new friend get to do that.

Lburou · « **Reply #50 on:** April 16, 2016, 11:28:00 am »

Quote from: rookie2531 on April 16, 2016, 06:06:42 am

...I am getting to know and become friends with good people. That is the very best part...

That is a good aspect of beekeeping to be sure!

Jen · « **Reply #51 on:** April 16, 2016, 12:57:11 pm »

Hey Rookie

Were your nucs deeps? and did you have 3 or 4 frames of brood in them?

Bee Commander · « **Reply #52 on:** April 17, 2016, 04:31:24 pm »

Hey Jen,
First year selling Nucs; I have had a few requests for Nucs on Medium frames. Nucs on Medium frames are very hard to find. I would consider them a specialty item and sell them for at least the same amount or more.

lazy shooter · « **Reply #53 on:** April 17, 2016, 08:37:05 pm »

The difference between 130 and 150 bucks is obviously 20 bucks. Now, my question is: How many people will balk at 20 bucks difference if they want the bees. If the buyer feels comfortable with the seller, I don't think 20 dollars makes a difference. Besides, the people in agriculture have been selling too cheap since the first transaction. When you sell a nuc, I bet there is 20 hours of work gone with the it, not to mention the value of the bees. You can honestly tell the buyer that the bees are healthy, and you will do it with confidence. That alone is worth something. Set your sights high.

tecumseh · « **Reply #54 on:** April 19, 2016, 07:04:08 am »

a Jen snip..
Neil, curious what you are going to do with those cardboard nuc boxes? I had an epiphany last night to charge the same $10 deposit to return the cardboard boxes the same as returning the wooden one, then reuse it, or maybe break it down flat and store over the winter.

Dadant sells them for 9.95 not including shipping. I've shopped for these before and price is comparable.

my comments...
I do quite often recommend the Jester boxes but for several reason would not suggest the two piece boxes sold by Mann Lake. The Jester boxes are quite tight and require no additional equipment to put these together. They are a bit of a puzzle but after 1 they go together quite quickly. I would burn the Mann Lake boxes rather than pass that problem off to anyone. At the 100 count I get these for about $8 and the shipping is another $2.

I do think lazy shooter is on to something < ps I sold one nuc to a fellow from up GlenRose way and told him he needs to find the Dino club at the first opportunity.

Bee Commander · « **Reply #55 on:** April 19, 2016, 08:34:09 am »

I am using a one piece box from Mann Lake and it's great and reasonable. The only thing you have to provide are two small pieces of screen. Really happy with them.

Quote from: tecumseh on April 19, 2016, 07:04:08 am

a Jen snip..
Neil, curious what you are going to do with those cardboard nuc boxes? I had an epiphany last night to charge the same $10 deposit to return the cardboard boxes the same as returning the wooden one, then reuse it, or maybe break it down flat and store over the winter.

Dadant sells them for 9.95 not including shipping. I've shopped for these before and price is comparable.

my comments...
I do quite often recommend the Jester boxes but for several reason would not suggest the two piece boxes sold by Mann Lake. The Jester boxes are quite tight and require no additional equipment to put these together. They are a bit of a puzzle but after 1 they go together quite quickly. I would burn the Mann Lake boxes rather than pass that problem off to anyone. At the 100 count I get these for about $8 and the shipping is another $2.

I do think lazy shooter is on to something < ps I sold one nuc to a fellow from up GlenRose way and told him he needs to find the Dino club at the first opportunity.

lazy shooter · « **Reply #56 on:** April 20, 2016, 09:35:22 am »

Jen snip:

In your favor, you have successfully kept bees for a few years, and your bees have a phenomenal survival rate. Your bees are good quality bees and are worth more than the average nuc. Advertise that by work of mouth and charge accordingly. One-hundred and fifty bucks is cheap.

If you get a fair price for your products, in the long haul, it is beneficial to agriculture as a whole. When you sell too cheap it is detrimental for the same reason. Get a fair price. You live in California where the cost of living is higher than most areas. I live in Texas where the cost of living is low. I don't know where I can buy a nuc for $150.00. Nucs in my area are $175.00 and up. Stay the course and get at least one-fifty.

lazy

Jen · « **Reply #57 on:** April 20, 2016, 11:58:14 am »

Lazy! A perfect perspective to start my day! Everyone's encouragment on this thread has built my confidence to do this nuc thing the smart way. Love this positive forum

Jen · « **Reply #58 on:** April 30, 2016, 04:32:18 pm »

This is a hive from a swarm 4 weeks ago. It's gang busters!

This hive is 10 frame deep. Untreated bees, laying queen, LOTS of bees, 6 frames of capped brood 2 of which are now full frames of brood. Eggs, Larvae. The frames are quality wedge wood, with wired wax foundation.

How does $300 sound?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #59 on:** April 30, 2016, 04:43:55 pm »

You will get that for it.. I sell a triple medium hive for 300 to 350, but the prices of good NUCS are approaching that price range now, so I am sure someone will be happy to pay that price for the major start those bees have.