Hi Everyone,

I am amazed at some of the comments on the comb honey posts over the
past few days. Unfortunately, for me, I don't experience the same
results.  The market where I sell is located on an interstate highway.
I get a variety of potential customers passing through, however the
majority and the "regulars" come from basically two areas; Northeastern
Pennsylvania/Southern New York, and Philadelphia, PA.  I do not sell a
lot of comb honey.  I offer one lb jars and Ross Rounds.  Most folks
stopping by don't even know what comb honey is and a question I get
asked at least three times a day is, "Are the any bees in it?".  Our
answer is usually, "No way, the bees are much too valuable to give
away."  Almost always the only folks that readily recognize it are
either from the South or elderly.  As for the latter, they usually
comment they have not seen it in years or since their beekeeping
relative stopped keeping bees or passed away, ironically, they do not
buy any.  Another exception is foreign travelers.  Asians, eastern
Europeans, those from the Middle East are good customers for this
product.

As much as I am a firm believer in the value of honey, this is one
product I have to price on the low end.  I get $5 for each although we
are raising the price to $5.50.  Still low by what I have been reading
in the recent posts.  Last year I had an individual that wanted to buy
"all the Ross Rounds I could supply him", but at $2.25 a section.  He
was from out of the area and insisted that is what he is paying for it
from his current supplier.  Needless to say we did not do any business.

This is probably going to be our last year at this market.  I have
decided that I would much rather work bees then spend 10-12 hr. days at
the market.  I don't know what it is about the area I live, but there is
not the appreciation for honey that I have seen in other parts of the
country.  I will say that I have made some good steady customers, in
that once they tried a jar they have returned for more and larger sizes.


One other point related to Lloyd Spear who is synonymous with comb
honey.  Lloyd has always done a lot to promote beekeeping regardless of
whether you are using his Ross Rounds or not.  His posts to BeeL,
articles in Bee Culture and personal conversations/correspondents we
have had, are always extremely helpful and enjoyable.  There are a few
folks on this list that year-in-year-out are always there to offer
guidance.  Most of us that have been around this list for a long time
know who they are and Lloyd is definitely one of them.  New members to
this list would do wise in searching the archives for some of his posts
and if possible read some of his back articles to the journals.  You
will get good sound advice that has stood the test of time.


Ron

Ron Bogansky
Kutztown, (eastern) PA, USA

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::