Anyone ever buy from them . They are advertising 3 lbs Italian for 179.99 shipping included. Looking for options.

Whoa very expensive, $110 here in Wi, $150 for nuc..

That is pretty expensive...I get nucs just outside of Morrisville NY for about a buck twenty (four frames).
http://johnstonshoneybeefarm.com/beefarm/

That is very expensive. $110-125 for both nucs and packages here. Nucs are better to start with if you can get them.

I can get 3lb packages for 75 picked up straight from the producer. Nucs run 135 here.
I wouldn't bother with TSC. What kind of support do you think they would give? Bad or dead queen?

Years ago, you could order them from a Ranch/Home Sears Catalog.

Thanks

learn how to make splits and nucs (and/or catch some swarms) and never buy bees again.

Please find a couple local bee keepers in your area. Find one who raises and has success in overwintering bees in your area and learn the art and science in keeping bees. The cheap southern bees are typically not very hardy up north. Find a local bee keeper and work with them it will save you much headache.

They are taking orders here in Alaska for spring packages $240. !!! I hope my hives make it.

After my last chicken buying experience with TSC, I'm done buying critters from them. Sales person kept complaining about having to handle the chickens, and then he had no idea what breeds they were, and now they don't sex them....

The people who work there are for the most part, just retail sales people and shelf stockers. They don't have an expertise in any specific field. All they know is what they were told to push and the talking points.

Best thing is to go to a specialized dealer or someone in the specific business and make sure you are getting exactly what you need and exactly what is going to fit your purpose and skill level.

Not to hijack the thread but at the Illinois Specialty Crops Conference last week I went to all the pumpkin growing seminars and they recommended bumble bees over honey bees for pollination. Fly in wet, cold, cloudy, etc conditions when honey bees won't. If you are using the bees for honey than totally different story. Bumble bees do not overwinter so you have to buy new each year. Even with the disadvantages if you are looking only at pollination they said bumble bees are an advantage.
If you deal with bees you probably already know this, I don't know anything about bees except I want them around when my pumpkins are blossoming.
our local farm store is putting on a beginning bee keeping seminar in February and I plan on going to that just to learn more.

my wife has been trying to get us into honey bees for a while.
she did a introduction meeting last night put on by the local beekeepers - and has decided, we are doing it this year. I'm sure I'll be here for questions as well.

There is actually a TON of great information on YouTube in regards to the topic of honey bees. (and of course so not so great info) Michael Palmer might be a little over your head (and confusing at this point) but very informational. Just stay away from the "Natural" bee keepers like Michael Bush

why would you stay away from Michael Bush - most of what he says is very good - myself, I am treatment free, I do not believe you need to dump chemicals of any kind to "treat" bees

Why raise bees when you can buy honey In the store with out all the hassle?
I can buy a lot of honey for $140.00 LOL

Beav. Helps for marketing at farmers markets.