Sort of what Mr Cool said above.
For some people, bees are livestock. For others they are like pets. For still others, the beehive is just a box with a tap on it that you open and honey flows out.
Think of this way. Would you sell that dairy cow to someone who you knowingly is not capable (or willing) to look after it? What about that horse? What about those puppies or kittens? Will they take to the vet, keep the shots up to date, provide nutrition, shelter? What about the colourful fish tank? Bees are insects, that does not change anything.
imho: The responsibility for animal husbandry and welfare exists on both sides of the exchange.
I sell bees and queens to people who demonstrate to me they are consistently putting the effort in to look after them. I include in my sale unlimited advice and mentoring. Ask anything any time. If I have to go out and do it for them, there is a charge. Be it cash or barter exchange. If they are asking questions, taking advice, and the bees fail .... ok fine, it happens - lets try again. If they ask nothing or take no action on advice and the bees fail .... that is neglect. No more from me.
Before sale I ask questions up front. Things like why they want bees, what their goals are, what experience they have. Pass that test and I sell them the bees. Fail the test and I do not sell to them.
If they are located nearby I may offer them an opportunity to enjoy bees in a different way. They can be a bee-haver, but I will be the beekeeper. My bees, my equipment, I look after them. They prepare the site, cover any exception cost, and host them. They are welcome to come stick their head in the hive whenever I go to check on the hive(s) and learn. They buy the products from the hive (honey, wax). This way they get to have bees, they get the honey/wax from their property (they pay for it), and I know the bees are looked after (by me). After awhile, I may ultimately sell them the hive when they think they have a handle on what is involved and I am satisfied they will make their best effort at it.
Most of my nearby friends have bees. Great people. For reasons stated, and per the OP concern, only a couple of them actually own the bees and can be called beekeepers. The rest are beehavers, I refused to sell to them.
Perhaps consider some sort of variation of the above for your friend. Advice is to back out of the sale and offer an alternate arrangement. It is the responsible thing to do for the bees sake.
To be frank, the essence of what I have put above is the ONLY reason I spend time here on BM. Its all about the bees, all about helping people however I can to look after the bees as best they can.
Topic: Doing the Right Thing (Read 1745 times)