At 04:14 PM 5/22/98 EDT, you wrote:
>last week i had a 6ooo bee shipment with an italian queen
>delivered to Richfield Wisconsin all were dead on arriveal. i called York bee
>in Georgia and they told me the bees were overheated and was the fault of the
>post office. they said if i pay the shipping they will send out another box
>and queen. i said fine today they came same deal all dead. now precious time
>has gone by. who in your estimation
>is to blame. the weather here is in the sixties now does the fault go to the
>driver the post office or the shipper (York Bee) its a dirty shame these
>wonderfull bees perish because of improper care. what do i do now??? jerry
>from Wisconsin
>
 
Jerry,
 
I have only a few years of bee knowledge but I do live in the same part of
the country as you.
 
If your intent is to get a package ASAP, then find an area bee supplier and
drive there to pick them up.  Herb & Judy Lapp in Reeseville, WI have been
good suppliers.  800-321-1960 or 414-927-3848.
 
I have also received excellent packages from Rossman's in Moultrie, GA
(800-333-7677) but had a friend driving North pick them up for me.
 
My advice, pick them up yourself and don't count on the USPS unless there
is no alternative.
 
Tom - 3 hives - Rockford, IL