Booked two nucs today

[Zante]

My first bees, I'm so excited!
I can't wait for end of March to come around!

Strangely enough, the nucs are to be returned once the colony has been hived, but it does keep the price down, I guess. Strong colony on six dadant frames for €110 each.

Mind you, I paid a poly nuc with six assembled frames with wax €32 last August, when I made a vague attempt at baiting a swarm.

 

[Swarm]

Well done. But Zante remember you are paying for the bees.

 

[Zante]

Well done. But Zante remember you are paying for the bees.

I don't understand, what do you mean?

 

[Swarm]

Just that if your supplier is selling the box as well it would be reflected in the price

 

[Zante]

I see what you mean, yes, that's what I meant by "but it does keep the price down, I guess".
I was just describing how here it is common practice to return the nuc, while my understanding is that in the UK the nuc is usually included, that's all.

 

[B+.]

A proper nuc is a worthwhile piece of equipment which I suggest is worth buying.
The Nuc you will get in the UK will probably be a cheap, disposable box which is designed to get the Nuc to you but not really much long term use.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I see what you mean, yes, that's what I meant by "but it does keep the price down, I guess".
I was just describing how here it is common practice to return the nuc, while my understanding is that in the UK the nuc is usually included, that's all.

I wouldn't say it's common practice. Some buy colonies in a returnable nuc box, some buy with the box. I have both bought and sold nuc colonies and returned the box with replacement frames and foundation. The price reflects what is in the deal.

 

[Millet]

Good luck withe them Zante, i can just picture you now spending many evenings sat staring at your new hives..

 

[Zante]

A proper nuc is a worthwhile piece of equipment which I suggest is worth buying.
The Nuc you will get in the UK will probably be a cheap, disposable box which is designed to get the Nuc to you but not really much long term use.

Indeed, that's why I bought one last August. It was also to start talking to my supplier, and starting to have a real look at the equipment I'd be using. I reasoned that I'd be needing one anyway, so I got one, and put it out as a bait, just in case of a late swarm (which is what I described as a vague attempt to lure a swarm)

 

[Zante]

July... Not August, now that I come to think of it...

 

[Zante]

I wouldn't say it's common practice. Some buy colonies in a returnable nuc box, some buy with the box. I have both bought and sold nuc colonies and returned the box with replacement frames and foundation. The price reflects what is in the deal.

I see. I suppose the suppliers I saw happened to all sell the box with the bees ant that must have given me the impression it was common practice.

 

[Zante]

Good luck withe them Zante, i can just picture you now spending many evenings sat staring at your new hives..

Unlikely, as they will be up in the hills, but, yes, if I had a garden I would be spending significant amounts of time with a bottle of mead and a view of the hives

 

[Angularity]

If the colony you're getting was attracted into the nut box as a swarm, then your supplier would want it back as it's very attractive to the next swarm.

 

[alldigging]

I wouldn't say it's common practice. Some buy colonies in a returnable nuc box, some buy with the box.

I asked for a deposit for the box which included £ for the trouble of me having to paint a new one if it didn't come back. It came back though.

 

[Zante]

If the colony you're getting was attracted into the nut box as a swarm, then your supplier would want it back as it's very attractive to the next swarm.

In this case this wouldn't be the case, she regulary builds nucs for sale from her colonies.