Bee Equipment quality?

[Hux70]

Was looking at getting a few spare bits ready for spring. Are their hive parts and frames any good?

 

[Apple]

Depends.......
They seem to have invented a new format for BS Nationals!

 

[madasafish]

I have bought lots from them. No issues.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I've had no problem with my purchases, in fact I have some boxes on order at the moment as they are cheaper than they are in the Thornes sale.

 

[North End Bees]

Depends.......
They seem to have invented a new format for BS Nationals!

Yes, I bought a 14x12 BB a couple of years ago and instead of the expected top locking bar there was just a piece of wood butt-jointed across

I've had no problem with my purchases, in fact I have some boxes on order at the moment as they are cheaper than they are in the Thornes sale.

Some parts are and others aren't. National supers are £14 in T's sale and £14.34 on BE.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Yes, I bought a 14x12 BB a couple of years ago and instead of the expected top locking bar there was just a piece of wood butt-jointed across

Some parts are and others aren't. National supers are £14 in T's sale and £14.34 on BE.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Yes, I bought a 14x12 BB a couple of years ago and instead of the expected top locking bar there was just a piece of wood butt-jointed across

Some parts are and others aren't. National supers are £14 in T's sale and £14.34 on BE.

It was the brood boxes BE £15.52. T £17

 

[Apple]

I've had no problem with my purchases, in fact I have some boxes on order at the moment as they are cheaper than they are in the Thornes sale.

You may have a long wait!

Have to say I ordered some desperately needed National supers KD last year... after waiting patiently for 6 weeks phoned them up and was told my order was in a container from China somewhere.
Had my money for 6 weeks.... cancelled order... no apology.#

Maisemore had fifty KD ( I am sure they were 1sts) at seconds prices shipped to us in a week
I was in the retail and shipping /wholesale business for a few years and know the problems.
Making promises and taking the money on goods you do not have may be OK for the "Futures" companies....
Not a business model that I buy into!

Chons da

 

[Newbeeneil]

I ordered my 10 brood boxes on 29/12 and they are out for delivery today so that's not too bad in my opinion. But I agree if I had been treated like you I would be wary.

 

[Beemac]

Bee equipment, I ordered 10 BB and 10 Super last week and just got notification from DPD for delivery tomorrow,says on their website that they are locally produced

(we’re cheaper than thornes and Maisemore on this occasion)

 

[Kaz]

Was looking at getting a few spare bits ready for spring. Are their hive parts and frames any good?

I bought 10 supers in the last sale. Only 4 were usable, the rest had to be replaced. Awful quality, for my money thornes if worth the slightly higher cost.

 

[North End Bees]

I bought 10 supers in the last sale. Only 4 were usable, the rest had to be replaced. Awful quality, for my money thornes if worth the slightly higher cost.

Thornes supers are actually slightly cheaper than BE atm.

 

[Kaz]

Thornes supers are actually slightly cheaper than BE atm.

Even better

 

[mbc]

I bought new supers from bee equipment, thornes and maisemore to compare, all seconds, all much the same price by a few pennies.
Quality of timber and fit went maisemore best, then Thorne then a poor third bee equipment, but they were all serviceable.

 

[BMH]

You may have a long wait!

Have to say I ordered some desperately needed National supers KD last year... after waiting patiently for 6 weeks phoned them up and was told my order was in a container from China somewhere.
Had my money for 6 weeks.... cancelled order... no apology.#

Maisemore had fifty KD ( I am sure they were 1sts) at seconds prices shipped to us in a week
I was in the retail and shipping /wholesale business for a few years and know the problems.
Making promises and taking the money on goods you do not have may be OK for the "Futures" companies....
Not a business model that I buy into!

Chons da

I bought loads of items in the their Black Friday sale.

Nothing was on back order.

Then within a few hours the nucs went onto back order.

I am still yet to receive ANYTHING from the entire order as the nuc was on back order (it wasnt when I ordered).

Saying they wont ship anything until the nuc comes into stock.

Not a great start to their review!!

 

[North End Bees]

I bought loads of items in the their Black Friday sale.

Saying they wont ship anything until the nuc comes into stock.

Really? Who would think that keeping people's money for 2 months and then losing potential repeat customers is a good business model??

 

[Apple]

Really? Who would think that keeping people's money for 2 months and then losing potential repeat customers is a good business model??

Looking at the number of package holiday companies advertising summer breaks on the telly at the moment and taking the cash and booking up front.......

Suppose it gives some people the joy of hope!

Yeghes da

 

[Somerford]

I've had many an issue with Bee Equipment orders - generally their picking accuracy and use them as a last resort
Maisemores generally have a very fast turn around unless its middle of the summer when they go mentally busy Thornes then tend to win on turn around
Maisemore firsts and Thornes first have always been excellent quality, not much to choose between them. 2nds-wise - some years the Thornes Frames are better with fewer knots, some years Maisemores are better it really is luck of the draw. I like Thornes roofs, I like Maisemores 2nds supers and broods and 2nds floors. Thornes were cheaper on frames in the Autumn sale by a few £ but they have goen up again this January.
Maisemore Polys are good and worth waiting for the sale to get nucs etc, but Paynes also have a sale on atm and it makes their nucs very good value.

At the end of the day I think it's the aftercare that matters. Both maisemores and thornes have always been quick to replace stuff thats faulty - Maisemores have a good picking accuracy (Dave is excellent) as for foundation - I like Maisemores but in a tight squeeze Modern Beekeeping helped me out last year with a box of 100 Deep when I needed them and they came next day.

So does that answer your question ? probably not !

 

[BMH]

I've had many an issue with Bee Equipment orders - generally their picking accuracy and use them as a last resort
Maisemores generally have a very fast turn around unless its middle of the summer when they go mentally busy Thornes then tend to win on turn around
Maisemore firsts and Thornes first have always been excellent quality, not much to choose between them. 2nds-wise - some years the Thornes Frames are better with fewer knots, some years Maisemores are better it really is luck of the draw. I like Thornes roofs, I like Maisemores 2nds supers and broods and 2nds floors. Thornes were cheaper on frames in the Autumn sale by a few £ but they have goen up again this January.
Maisemore Polys are good and worth waiting for the sale to get nucs etc, but Paynes also have a sale on atm and it makes their nucs very good value.

At the end of the day I think it's the aftercare that matters. Both maisemores and thornes have always been quick to replace stuff thats faulty - Maisemores have a good picking accuracy (Dave is excellent) as for foundation - I like Maisemores but in a tight squeeze Modern Beekeeping helped me out last year with a box of 100 Deep when I needed them and they came next day.

So does that answer your question ? probably not !

Nice summary though

 

[ChrisS]

A shout out for National Bee Supplies - I've always used them and rate them very highly. Their stuff is always high quality, especially hives, if a little more expensive than some. Their customer service and delivery speed are excellent too.