Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/10/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Bought live bees and they died or left within 24 hours.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/10/2024

  Please contact the Mann Lake LTD *************************** to see if you qualify for a refund.  The contact information is listed below:

  Email: ************************************

  Phone: Monday-Friday 7 am - 7pm CT at **************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/16/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  So for two years I have purchased bees from this company the first year the whole bunch died within 30 days the second year (which is this year) they died in July. I tried to get a credit or to have them replaced but was told this did not occur within the first 24 hrs and they "So, unfortunately at this time we wont be able to offer you anything. We only guarantee them till they get into their new homes when it comes to wild bees its hard to pin point exactly what is happening with them or what they may get into once in their hives. We are sorry for the inconvenience but with all the variables of things that could've caused them to die we can't pin point why exactly they died out." Its interesting however, because I bought bees locally as well and they are thriving so it can't be anything I did or didn't do. Another interesting fact about this is that both times the worker bees did not chew the queen loose from her cage. (The hive is supposed to chew the queen loose once they are acclimated to each other). This could be a signal of week queens. All this said however, I just want to ensure people are made aware of this should they want to purchase bees from this company.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/27/2023

  Industry standards are when shipping package bees that they bees are only guaranteed for a short time period, there are way to many variables that can impact how the bees adapt to their new hives after arriving from being shipped.  The local bees that were picked up do usually have a higher chance of remaining a strong hive as they don't have the stress of being shipped, which is why we also offer pickups and have a national dealer network.  We also have no control over how the bees are handled once they are passed onto the customer.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/28/2023

   I am rejecting this response because: it is a regurgitation of what the representative said.  If local bees have a better chance at survival you should mention that to the customers in the bee description.  Moreover, you mislead us by not disclosing that you use a commercial grower for your bees that are a great distance away from your shipping locations so the bees are actually shipped TWICE!  There are tons of complaints for this very same reason all over the internet yet you are allowed to continue selling substandard bees to the public and NEVER accept responsibility for for it.
  
  
  

  Business Response

  Date: 08/28/2023

  All of the package bee information and guarantee information is laid out in the package bee policy that everyone agrees to when they order. We order our bees from multiple different beekeepers to reduce the additional handling wherever we possibly can, we also work with well known beekeepers in the industry that supply packages not only to **** lake but to others as well. 

  Again there are to many things that can happen out of our control after the packages are delivered to a customer which is why we only guarantee the bees for a specific time period.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/22/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Recieved 2 packages of bees, shipped below 40 degree. Recieved on a day it was raining and below 40. I had to wait 1 day to install, sprayed the cluster with sugar water as described. So first issue, I had to wait longer then 24 hours to install. How is this my fault? But, already past being able to make a claim due to there "policy". I installed the packages. Both had less then 1.5 inches of dead bees. This would be the second issue. Once you install the bees and they die, you can't take a picture of 1.5 inches of dead bees in the plastic package. Another "Policy".One package survived, the other one died 1 day later. Sent a email and recieved there "policies for a claim"... I understand that not everything can be controlled. I also understand they send out live bees and the risk that comes with it. The question is, who should be taken the risk, the customer or the business? In **** Lakes perspective its the customer unless you fall into a very small margin. Everyone else that falls into a situation completely out of there control... YOU bare the risk.As a business owner myself I could never think to s**** my clients over because of ridiculous "policies". I make it right for the relationship of my clients and my business. I don't make my clients jump through hoops to create a claim or take any risk with my product. I make the money so I take the risk. Sad that someone would have to describe this to another business, but we are in the age of legal and not in respect and relationship building. To **** Lake, they will just sale to another customer. They don't care about the ones they have. If they did there "Policies" would reflect it. Sadly they don't, There are better businesses out there. Buy from those that want your buisness. BUYER BE WARE.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/28/2023

  Sir,

  As stated in your BBB message, the insurance policy on purchasing live bees from Mann Lake LTD has specific requirements for the refund.  This is posted on our website so customers are able to review the policy prior to purchase. The link to the policy is listed below:

  *******************************************************

  We are sorry to hear that not all your bees survived your installation, and your claim does not meet the requirements for a full refund from Mann Lake LTD. In the future, if you require guidance on installation techniques, please contact our team.

  *************************