Geez Matt are you even serious?
What are you even talking about? Why are you talking about running a business? Mindsets? We must realize that there are two markets in the beekeeping industry???? Uh okay...
He did not ask a question about running commercial hives he asked about a feeder for his One hive so whatever you are talking about is irrelevant.
I am not going to consider any markets when I answer a question based on my opinion.
Most people on here are hobbiests, which I am so why would I have to envision some other market when I answer a question.
Regardless of what you may think I do not have to think about anyone's mindset to answer a question.
You seriously expect someone to answer a question to fit other possible scenarios than the actual situation it is?
He asked about a feeder for his ONE hive not 20,50,100 or more hives that you envision he may have some day down the road.
It was a question from someone asking about a feeder for his individual situation and you are talking about businesses failing and not being able to feed a family and who knows what else.
Not everyone is out to make money or break even which is apparently your mindset so you assume anyone else is wrong for spending money which you actually took the time to point out.
I personally don't care if I ever make money back. This is a hobby, I spend money on my hobbies so therefore my answer reflects that and that is how I plan to answer all questions posed to me.
If people want answers about commercial beekeeping they would post them in a commercial forum.
A question was asked, you answered the question in your post and then I answered the question based on my experience with the feeders and included a link to be helpful.
You then decided you needed to go back and post again to put down and discount my recommendation because it cost money which you disagree with.
Then I have to go back to defend or explain my reasoning for spending my money on my hobby.
If you actually read my post, I stated throughout -- I, to me, for me etc.
This is from your post:
I disagree with this statement: "so to use scrap wood to make a cover or recycled jars isn't really going to turn the whole thing around".
You disagree with this? Seriously? How are you disagreeing with this? Maybe its because you took it out of context.
Here is the actual post the way I wrote it:
See to me beekeeping is really not a hobby that you can call cheap, green etc. so to use scrap wood to make a cover or recycled jars isn't really going to turn the whole thing around, especially if you need to go out and actually buy tools to make something.
So you are telling me that I am wrong here? That since I have spent hundreds of dollars on hives if I save $18.95 its going to turn my whole situation around? Because I was speaking about my situation not anyone else's which is pretty clear.
My whole post reads that way, its about me yet you take it apart and try to make it about commercial beeks.
Sorry that not everyone agrees with your way of thinking and answers questions honestly based on their experience.