I don't know if this is the appropriate forum to post my problem, so I ask the administrators to please move or delete it if it is inappropriate.
So here goes: This year, I dutifully ordered my package bees early (February) and, for the second year in a row, I am not able to get bees. This time it is not the fault of the supplier, it was simply a matter not fully knowing the shipping policies of the Post Office and FedEx. The end result was that my bees got shipped all the way to the FedEx terminal and were returned to the supplier because FedEx won't fly package bees. I have checked into getting a late package, but now, the costs are astronomical (almost $300 to ship two packages to my location). I am budgeted for a little more than half that cost.
This makes two years in a row that I have ordered bees (from different suppliers), paid faithfully and ended up with no bees and a refund check. Don't get me wrong, having the money back is great, but it only makes about 35lbs of honey and I have to drive to the store to 'extract' it. Can anybody out there help me with a late package? I will even take a package of bulk bees and order the queen separately, if necessary (for some reason, getting queens is no problem at my location, but packages are nearly impossible). Thanks to all.