FAQ's
Do you offer any discounts?
At this time, we offer two different discounts:
Cash/check discount: In order to avoid any added costs, we offer a 3% discount for customers paying with cash/check via mail. Until 2017, Prairie Wind Bee Supply has only accepted payment through the mail. We are excited to offer a new payment option with online credit card pay for the convenience it brings to some customers, but will continue to offer a 3% discount for our customers who wish to pay via cash/check. Note that the prices listed on our Buy Bees page reflect this discount.
Bulk order discount: For orders of more than 20 packages or nucs, an additional $3.00 will be taken off the price of each item.
How do I place an order for bees? and What information should I include in my order?
Starting in 2019, we will be using an online form for you to submit order requests.
This will be posted on or before January 20, 2019.
I'm a newer beekeeper, should I order a nuc or package?
Nucs and packages each offer their own advantages and disadvantages, and whether one is more suitable than the other will depend greatly on the individual needs of the beekeeper ordering them. However, for newer beekeepers or those up in the air about their needs, we advise ordering nucs.
While packages can offer more flexibility for different frame sizing and non-langstroth hives, nucs offer multiple advantages including ease of installation, lower chance of absconding from the new hive, and increased resiliency during transit. The higher cost of the nuc and later delivery date are offset because the bees are well established on their frames upon their arrival, cutting down the work necessary for them once they have been installed in their new hive. Additionally, the fragility of packages for less experienced beekeepers can sometimes result in undue stress or even the loss of a hive, and we want to see our newer beekeepers succeed as much as possible, especially in the sometimes tenuous first few years of caring for and learning about bees.
What happens after I place my order?
After we receive your order, we will send you a confirmation and invoice via email. You can then pay
for your order to secure it.
What payment methods do you accept?
Starting in 2017, we will accept payment in the form of credit card (online) in addition to cash or checks (through the mail). We have begun accepting credit cards for the convenience they offer, but we still encourage payment via mail and offer a full 3% discount for that payment type.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
We will withhold a 15% fee on all cancellation refunds before April 1st. After April 1st, there are no refunds for cancellations.
Do you offer a warranty?
Due to the challenging nature of beekeeping and the countless obstacles that
all of us face when keeping colonies strong, we are not liable for anything after
the bees leave our hands. We are happy to offer advice for facilitating safe transit
and care of the bees, but product delivery is as far as we can insure them. That
being said, we will do our best to accommodate our customers and if you do have
a concern, please let us know and it will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
When can I pick up my bees?
Pick up for package bees is tentatively set for Saturday, April 27th, 2019 from 7:00 am - 9:00 am. Pick up for nucs is yet to be determined and will be in on a single date in late April or early/mid-May. Specific dates will be posted on the website and emailed to customers via the mailing list ahead of time. Pick up is typically early morning on a Saturday, so please ensure that you or someone designated by you will be available to pick up your bees at that time, as the window for delivery is typically small, and we cannot hold onto bees beyond the pick up window.
Where is the pick up location?
A specific address will be sent to the customers via the mailing list well ahead of time, with directions included.
What should I bring to pick up?
Please bring your invoice so we can keep track of delivery. No equipment or suits are necessary, just be sure you bring a vehicle which is able to transport bees while keeping them cool enough to survive transit, e.g. a truck with an open bed or an air-conditioned vehicle.
What happens after that?
Go home, install your bees, and enjoy being a beekeeper!
I'm new to beekeeping and have questions about installation and keeping bees. Where can I find help?
Click on our Resources page where we have provided links to many helpful documents and resources. You can also email us with any questions you have and we will do our best to answer them.
Do you sell any other beekeeping supplies or products?
At this time, Prairie Wind Bee Supply offers only live honey bees. However, there are many providers of these products, some of them local, which can get you what you need. Click on our Resources page for references.