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 on factors beyond our control, such as weather patterns. As a result, Mann Lake may need to rearrange scheduled dates or make other accommodations. 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 us responsible for whatever may happen to your package after it is delivered, for the survival or productivity of the hive that you establish from the package. We will not provide refunds 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 refund any money 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 event that a replacement queen is needed, we offer to replace one queen free of charge.
CHANGES/ CANCELLATIONS
Changes or Cancellations will not be made within 14 days of the ship date. If an order is cancelled or changes need to be made, a $10 fee for package bee or nuc orders and a $5 fee for queen orders will apply.
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 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.
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 you have left our facility with them.
When picking up nucs, we request that you perform an inspection within 48 hours following your pickup date. If any concerns or issues with your nuc should arise within this time frame, we kindly ask that you provide photo documentation to qualify for a replacement or refund.
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.
***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