Terms and Conditions

Sales Tax:

By law, we are required to collect Michigan State sales tax, where applicable. 

Freight Charges:

The customer pays all freight and/or optional insurance charges.

Additional Freight Charges: The small package carriers impose additional charges if they have to make changes to your shipping information after the order has been processed. To avoid these charges, please ensure that you provide accurate information and/or confirm shipping information at the time of your phone, web or mail-in order.

Shipping:

The customer pays all freight and/or optional insurance charges.

For smaller orders you can select your preferred shipping method.  Larger orders go by common carrier.  We can arrange trucking or you can make arrangements with your preferred carrier. Any breakage or damage in transit is the responsibility of the shipping company. Shipping by the US Postal Service will incur an additional handling and insurance fee.

Approximate UPS and US Postal Service shipping times:

• Ohio, Michigan, Mid-West = 1-2 days
• Northeast, Mid-South = 2-3 days
• Deep South = 3-4 days
• Mountain and Texas = 4-5 days
• Far West = 5+ days
• Alaska and Hawaii = 7+ days

Receiving Merchandise:

Upon receipt of an order, please inspect it immediately and report any discrepancies within 7 business days.  Failure to do so may limit our ability to help you resolve any issues arising from transport or claims.

Replacing Merchandise:

If we make an error or send you the wrong product please call and we will correct the problem.  We work hard to properly package your purchase to avoid damage during shipping.  If items are damaged during shipment please coordinate through the shipping company for reimbursement, all shipments are insured for the product amount.  

Freight Damages:

All merchandise becomes your property as soon as we give it to the freight carrier. The freight carrier is responsible for the complete and safe delivery of your merchandise. It is the responsibility of the buyer to thoroughly inspect the merchandise when it is delivered. If the freight carrier fails to deliver your merchandise in good condition, it is your responsibility to file a damage or loss claim with the freight carrier. 

Pick Up Orders:

We would love to see you in person.  Our friendly and helpful staff are happy to share their beekeeping experience with you. If you are planning a visit, please make an appointment online, to ensure product availability and to secure your order.   

Internet Orders:

Web orders can be placed on our website at www.SmithFamilyBeeFarm.com, orders are processed every business day (Monday - Friday), except on listed holidays.    Any orders placed after that time will be processed on the next business day. Once processed, web orders will be handled with the same high level of care and attention as any other order.  We will contact you via e-mail or phone if there are any discrepancies on your web order (ie. wrong billing address, backorders, etc.)

Pricing:

We do our best to hold prices through the year, but prices are subject to change without notice.

Back Orders:

We attempt to ship all orders on the first or second day after they are received depending on the season. If an item is on back-order, customers will be notified as soon as possible (through e-mail). As soon as back-ordered items come into stock, they will receive first priority handling. Customers may choose to ship in stock items ahead of back-ordered items, however, additional freight charges for back-ordered items are the customer’s responsibility

Live Bees, Nucs and Queens:

Beeday is an exciting and busy time!  Be sure that your hives are assembled, painted and ready for the packages to be installed.  To avoid long delays please place merchandise orders by internet so that they can be ready when you arrive to pickup.

Please note that Live bees and nucs are available for customer pickup only, and by appointment only.

Returns & Exchanges:

Any unused item, except for those mentioned in the non-returnable merchandise section, with which you are not satisfied, may be returned within 7 business days for a refund or credit covering the purchase price of the item.

If you pay by credit card, we will credit your account and the credit will be reflected on your account statement. If you pay by check or money order, we will issue a refund check.

If your order is damaged in shipping, we will be happy to help you file a claim with the shipper.  Please refer to the Freight Damages section for more information.

Returned merchandise is subject to a restocking fee of 30% of the original price.

Non-returnable Merchandise:

Due to the nature of some products, their use and the safety issues, the following product classes are non-returnable: consumables (food items (honey), bee feed, etc.), books, medications & chemicals, personal care products, and custom printed labels.

Order Cancellations:

All orders must be canceled in writing, by email, before the order ships.

Liability:

Because conditions of use are beyond our control, we make no warranty or representation, express or implied, except that all products conform to the description provided by the manufacturer on sales literature or product labels. Our liability is limited to the purchase price paid.  The buyer agrees to release the seller of all Liability claims.

Product Suitability:

Many states and municipalities have local codes and regulation governing sales, construction, installation and/or use of products for certain purposes. We attempt to ensure that our products comply with such codes; we cannot guarantee compliance to such codes in every situation, nor can we be responsible for how the product is installed or used. Before you purchase and use a product, please review both the product application and local codes and regulations. Be sure that the product, its installation, and its use will comply with such codes.   

Warning: Do not feed honey to Infants under the age of one year.

Publishing Errors:

We are not responsible for typographical or photographic errors that may appear in any material published by Betterbee. We retain the right to make adjustments or corrections due to changing market conditions, product discontinuations or typographical or photographic errors in products.

Any and All Orders are an Acknowledgement of these Terms and Conditions whether made Online or in-person.

Thank you for your business!  We look forward to serving you again soon!

Smith Family Bee Farms LLC, SFBF are trademarked and must be treated as such.