Deal or no Deal

[jdesq]

I have a chance to get some hives consisting of cover, inner cover, bottom board ,2 hive bodies and 2 med. supers with drawn out frames for $50.00 each. The guy is ratcheting down his apiary and has 30 of these to go. I can only afford 8- do you think this is okay or should I worry about bringing disease into my small apiary. I hate to pass up on a bargain. What does the brain trust think?

[BeeHopper]

Looks good to me, whether they come with bees or not, make sure they are hard chemical & disease free.  :)

[jdesq]

No bees just wooden ware.

[BeeHopper]

It is still a good deal ( to me anyways ), I would still be concerned with what hard chemicals ( if they were in use ) and any spores of American Foulbrood. I am not familiar with your Ag laws, but if he has a clean bill of health from the apiary inspector, I would be on it.  :)

[harvey]

I would love to find a deal like that.  New equipment is expensive.  I couldn't buy a top cover inner cover and bottom board for that price out of the catalog let alone the brood boxes.  I regards to chemicals I think you could buy all new frames from Dadent,  discard the old ones and still be way ahead money wise than buying new boxes.

[bassman1977]

I would be all over it.  I would just replace the wax.

[charles]

What does the brain trust think?

Deal.

[BMAC]

sounds to me like you will be getting the lid, inner cover and bb for free with that deal.

[G3farms]

sounds good to me, might want to see what happened to the bees that were in them, and what the comb looks like.

even without the frames it sounds like a good deal.


G3

[Kathyp]

deal

if you have concerns, fill a garbage can with water and poor some bleach in.  dip the equipment.  let it dry.  rinse it off.  let it dry.  use it  :-)

[BjornBee]

I wonder what happened to all the bees.  :?

Strange to have clean, untainted chemical comb, and comb not 30 years old, and yet have all this equipment and no bees for them.

Someone once told me something about a "deal to good to be true, usually isn't". But I'm sure it's just a old cliche saying... ;)

I also think asking a poll of questions on a bee forum, about whether one would be bringing disease into ones apiary, would be better questions asked of the seller.  ;)

So what did the seller say? How old is the comb? What chemicals has the wax been exposed? What happened to the bees? Are you from a state that inspects? When was the last time he had AFB or had his hives inspected. After these questions (and others) are asked...go with your gut feeling. Not advise based on a dollar figure from a host of beekeepers not able to see the equipment, ask questions, or lack any risk in the deal. Sellers not willing to answer questions openly and without hesitation.....walk away from. He should respect your willingness to ask questions and protect your investment. Good beekeepers have no problems being grilled when they have nothing to hide. Those that become irritated or think your out of line....walk away!