Package Bee/Nuc/Queen Policy, Waiver, & Guarantee
By placing an order with Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply online, by phone, via email, in person, or by mail for package bees, you agree to the following policies, contract terms, conditions, limitations, and exceptions.
Mann Lake makes every attempt to supply your bees on the scheduled date. However, the production of package bees, nucs, and queens is dependent upon factors beyond our control, such as weather patterns, shipping delays, etc. As a result, Mann Lake reserves the right to change pre-selected ship dates as needed. Mann Lake reserves the right to substitute a different breed of package in the event that the breed selected is unavailable. If the substituted package is priced lower than the one selected, a refund for the price difference will be issued to the original payment method. Mann Lake will provide notification to you via email, phone call, or SMS, if shipments are not on schedule or substitutions are required.
Package Bees: It is normal to see up to 1-1 ½” of dead bees in your package due to the lifespan of worker bees, timing of entry into the package, and possible stress in transit. Our package bee suppliers shake enough bees into the package to accommodate for this loss. Mann Lake guarantees, through shipping insurance, that your package bees will arrive alive with no more than 1 ½” of dead bees (when spread evenly across the bottom of the package). Mann Lake guarantees that your package will contain a fertile queen. However, we do not guarantee that you will be able to successfully establish a colony or “hive” with the package. You agree that you will not attempt to hold Mann Lake responsible for the condition of your package bees once delivered/picked up and in your possession, or for the survival or productivity of the hive that you establish from the package. We will not provide refunds or replacements for package bees that fail to thrive or die after receipt.
Nucs: Mann Lake guarantees a healthy nuc with a fertile queen, eggs, larvae, and capped brood, along with several drawn-out frames. We do not guarantee the survival or success of a nuc once it is in your possession. You acknowledge and accept that we cannot be held responsible for the well-being, survival, or productivity of the hive you establish from the nuc once it is in your possession. We will not provide refunds or replacements for nucs that fail to thrive or die after receipt.
Queens: Queen introduction success can be influenced by numerous factors that are often beyond our control; therefore, we do not guarantee the acceptance of the queen by your hive. Please be aware that we do not provide replacements or refunds for queen bees that may be rejected by your colony.
Mann Lake offers a guarantee to ensure that you receive a live and fertile queen for your beekeeping needs. We guarantee the queen to be fertile and begin laying brood, if accepted, within 10-14 days of installation. In the unlikely event that your queen does not start laying within that time period and a replacement queen is needed, we offer to replace one queen free of charge.
CHANGES/ CANCELLATIONS
If an order is cancelled or changes need to be made, a $10 fee for package bee, nuc, and queen orders will apply. However, a 50% fee will apply for any Package Bee or Nuc order cancellation made within 14 days of the scheduled ship or pickup date. Please note: If you attempt to cancel your shipped package bee order within 7 days of your scheduled ship date and we are unable to prevent your order from shipping, a refund will NOT be issued.
Package Bee Shipping Policy
Package bees are shipped via USPS Ground Advantage and require pickup at your local post office. The post office will contact you via the phone number provided at the time of order. Unfortunately, due to US postal regulations and additional shipping risk to the bees, we are unable to ship live bees expedited via air transport (Priority Mail). You will receive an invoice email with tracking information once the shipping label has been created. The tracking information will be located in the PDF attachment of this email. You can also sign up for Informed Delivery by USPS (https://www.usps.com/manage/informed-delivery.htm) to track your package(s).
• You agree that you will not refuse your order if it arrives DOA or in poor condition. If shipment is refused, a replacement / refund will NOT be issued. If shipment arrives with more than the allotted amount of dead bees (more than 1 ½” of dead bees spread evenly across the bottom) or package is damaged, you must contact us within 24 hours of receipt or the guarantee is void.
• For a claim to be filed and to receive a replacement/ refund, you must provide a photo of the shipping label and a clear, well-lit photo of the dead/damaged package showing more than 1 ½” of dead bees on the bottom of the package when spread evenly. The photo must show the entire package from the side (refer to the sample images below). Claims without photo proof of damage will be denied. Information should be submitted on our website via the Package Bee Help page. Please refer to the special instructions provided through the QR code on our package of bees for additional information on damage claims and installation instructions.
Replacements and Refunds
We make every effort to ship replacements, if available, on the earliest ship date possible. However, we cannot guarantee replacements. If replacements are not available to ship, a refund will be issued to your original payment method. Mann Lake will cover the cost and shipping fee of one replacement package only. If the replacement is damaged in transit, a refund will be issued to your original payment method. Any refunds will be issued within 7-10 business days after receipt of all required documentation.
Package Bee Queens/ Queen Shipments
Non-laying: Mann Lake guarantees that you will receive a fertile queen. The queen is expected to begin laying eggs within 10-14 days after install. If there are no signs of eggs within this period, please contact us at 800-880-7694 or queenhelp@mannlakeltd.com for a replacement.
Dead or Damaged in Transit: In the event the queen arrives dead or damaged during transit, please contact us at 800-880-7694 or queenhelp@mannlakeltd.com for a replacement. We must be contacted within 24 hours of receipt. A photo of the dead queen and shipping label are required prior to the shipment of a replacement queen. Mann Lake will cover the cost and shipping fee of one replacement queen only.
- Queens shipped UPS NEXT DAY ship to your door
- Queens shipped USPS Priority Mail will be held at your local post office for pickup.
Package Bee & Queens SHIPPING DISCLAIMER:
Live bees are shipped "F.O.B. Shipping Point," which means that ownership of the bees transfers to you as soon as we hand them over to the carrier (UPS/USPS). Once received by the carrier (UPS/USPS) the health and wellbeing of your bee shipment can be impacted by many factors beyond our control such as severe weather, misrouting and/or mishandling by the carrier, etc. Therefore, you agree that you will not attempt to hold Mann Lake responsible for all loss of productivity or business, perceived or otherwise, resulting from any delay in transit, lost in transit, DOA bees or delays resulting from the claims process and/or availability of replacement package bees or queens. If your bees arrive DOA and replacements are unavailable, Mann Lake is not responsible for any startup costs that you may have incurred in preparation for your bee’s arrival such as, equipment, tools, feed, etc.
PICKUP OF PACKAGE BEES/ NUCS:
It is normal to see up to 1-1 ½” of dead bees in your package due to the lifespan of worker bees and the timing of entry into the package. We suggest inspecting your package before you leave. For pickups at any of our locations, if you deem the package unsuitable, you must request a replacement at that time. We will not replace or refund for package bees after they are in your possession, and you have left our facility with them.
When picking up your nucs, please inspect them within 48 hours of pickup. If any issues arise, you must contact us within this 48-hour period. Photo documentation is required to qualify for a replacement or refund. We will not replace or refund for nucs if we are not contacted regarding any issues within 48 hours of the pickup date.
Bee Installation Instructions & Claims
For more information on bee claims and installation, please visit: https://www.mannlakeltd.com/bee-claims-and-installation/
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please feel free to contact us at 800-880-7694 or beehelp@mannlakeltd.com.
We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm ET. If you need assistance outside of these hours, please leave a message by calling 800-880-7694 or email us at beehelp@mannlakeltd.com. beekeeper@mannlakeltd,com. When leaving a message, kindly include your name, address, phone number with area code, and your order number. We will respond as soon as possible, but please allow 1-2 business days for a response.
***There is potential risk of injury from activities involved in beekeeping and while particular rules, equipment and personal care may reduce the risk, the risk of injury does exist. YOU KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for your participation; and, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS MANN LAKE LTD, their officers, other participants, and if applicable, owner and lessors of the premises (“RELEASEES”) used to conduct any event. WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED OR OTHERWISE.Top of Form