> I order the budgets and I've not had a problem, with the exception of
> a few chipped corners that leave gaps large enough for bee entry.
> Other than that, and the knots, they work great for me.

There can be many reasons that boxes are designated 'budget', from warping,
bad grain, misadustment of the machines making them, to bad fit, big edge
knots, dry rot etc...

Sometimes designating boxes as 'budget' is just an excuse to drop price and
clear an overstock without triggering a priice war.  However, in today's
market situation, with high honey prices, there is no shortage of demand, so
the selection criteria are likely higher than at times of slacker demand.
These days, anything at all passable probably goes into the select or
commercial grades.

How diligently they sort also depends on season, who is on shift the day
they are sorted, and the particular supplier's internal policies.  There is
no binding industry standard.

I'd recommend that you see the actual boxes you are buying, unless you are
trusting, and not at all fussy.  A small difference in purchase price can
mean the difference between equipment you love and can resell, and firewood
with bees in it.

When  you consider the effort of assembly, the cost of galvanized nails, and
the paint, a dollar or two saved on purchase is often not worth the
sacrifice.

allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary
How Canada shot itself in the foot in 1986, and
keeps insisting it was a good idea, while hobbling along.

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