Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

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Welcome to Honey Bee Genetics. We are a California-based business specializing in the sale of live honey bees, including queen bees, packaged honey bees, and 5-frame nucleus colonies (nucs).

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These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our website and your purchase of our products. By placing an order, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these terms.

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In these Terms and Conditions, “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Honey Bee Genetics. “You” and “your” refer to the customer purchasing our products or using our website.

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2. Products and Availability

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We offer live honey bee products, which may include:

• Queen Bees: Individual queen honey bees, with attendants or other inclusions as specified in the product listing.

• Package Bees: Packaged honey bees containing the bees and queen configuration described in the applicable product listing.

• 5-Frame Nucleus Colonies (Nucs): Established nucleus colonies supplied on five frames, with contents and equipment as described in the applicable product listing.

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Live bee availability depends on the season, weather, colony conditions, and other factors affecting bee health and production.

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We reserve the right to update product listings, prices, availability, and estimated fulfillment dates. If we cannot fulfill an order, we will contact the customer to discuss available options, including any refund required by applicable law.

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Product descriptions will specify the relevant characteristics of each offering. Please review the listing carefully before purchasing.

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3. Live Bee Products and Natural Variability

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Honey bees are living organisms. Their condition, behavior, development, and performance may vary due to genetics, weather, environmental conditions, handling, transportation, pests, diseases, and beekeeping practices.

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Although we make reasonable efforts to supply healthy bees in accordance with our product descriptions, we cannot guarantee specific colony growth rates, honey production, temperament, overwintering success, queen acceptance, brood patterns, or other future colony outcomes.

Queen acceptance and colony performance depend on factors beyond our control, including installation methods, colony condition, local conditions, and the customer's beekeeping practices.

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Customers are responsible for providing appropriate equipment, forage, water, management, and care after receiving their bees.

Nothing in these terms excludes any express product guarantee we provide or any consumer rights that cannot legally be excluded.

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4. Orders and Payment

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Orders must be submitted through the purchasing methods available on our website. Customers are responsible for providing accurate contact, billing, shipping, and delivery information.

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Payment must be completed using an accepted payment method. Seasonal availability, preorders, deposits, and scheduled fulfillment dates will be described in the applicable product listing or order confirmation.

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We reserve the right to review, decline, or cancel an order where legally permitted, including where a product is unavailable, an apparent pricing error occurs, or fraud is reasonably suspected. Any payment refund required by law will be provided accordingly.

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5. Shipping, Delivery, Pickup, and Product Availability

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Shipping methods, estimated delivery dates, delivery arrangements, and any available pickup options will be stated in the relevant product listing or order confirmation. Product listings may include the product type, purchase price, and anticipated shipping date. Product availability, pre-order status, and deposit information may be managed separately by Honey Bee Genetics through our internal order and inventory records.

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Honey Bee Genetics monitors orders, pre-orders, product availability, and any applicable deposits internally. Placing an order does not necessarily guarantee immediate availability or shipment on a specific date. If availability, order timing, or fulfillment arrangements change, we will make reasonable efforts to notify affected customers.

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Any deposit or advance payment associated with an order will be recorded and applied according to the terms communicated to the customer at the time of purchase. Applicable deposit amounts, remaining balances, payment deadlines, and cancellation or refund terms will be communicated as part of the ordering process.

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Live bee shipments are affected by weather, carrier operations, transportation conditions, and seasonal availability. Delivery and shipping dates are estimates unless expressly confirmed otherwise. Shipping dates may change when necessary to protect the health and condition of the bees or to accommodate circumstances beyond our control.

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Customers are responsible for:

• Providing a complete and accurate delivery address and contact information.

• Ensuring someone is available to receive the shipment when required.

• Promptly collecting or receiving live bee shipments.

• Following appropriate installation and care instructions after delivery.

• Complying with applicable local, state, and federal requirements for receiving, transporting, and keeping honey bees.

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Customers must contact Honey Bee Genetics promptly if a shipment is delayed, appears damaged, or presents an apparent problem upon arrival.

We will work with customers to address shipping or fulfillment issues in accordance with our published shipping policy, the circumstances of the order, and applicable law.

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6. Inspection and Reporting Problems

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Because our products are living organisms, customers should inspect shipments promptly upon receipt and follow the care instructions provided.

If bees arrive dead, visibly damaged, or with another apparent issue, please contact us at orders@honeybeegenetics.com within 24-48 hours of delivery or fill out our contact form.

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Please include your order number, a description of the issue, the time of delivery, and clear photographs or other reasonable supporting documentation when available.

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We will review reported issues and explain the available resolution under our live bee guarantee, shipping policy, and applicable law.

Any reporting period we establish is intended to help us assess time-sensitive live bee issues and does not eliminate rights that cannot legally be waived.

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7. Returns, Refunds, and Replacements

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Our return, refund, and replacement policies are available here.

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Because live bees are perishable living organisms, returns may be impractical or unsuitable in some circumstances. Any restrictions on returns, refunds, or exchanges must be consistent with applicable law.

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Before placing an order, customers should review the product listing and applicable policy for the conditions governing cancellations, shipping problems, arrival concerns, and any available replacement or refund.

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For assistance with an order, contact orders@honeybeegenetics.com.

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8. Customer Responsibilities and Beekeeping

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Customers are responsible for determining whether honey bees are suitable for their property, location, experience level, and intended use.

Customers must provide appropriate housing, handling, management, and ongoing care. Customers are also responsible for checking applicable local ordinances, zoning requirements, registration obligations, and restrictions on keeping or transporting honey bees.

Beekeeping involves inherent risks, including stings, allergic reactions, swarming, and interactions with people, animals, and surrounding property. Customers should use appropriate protective equipment and safe beekeeping practices.

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9. Bee Health and Biosecurity

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We take bee health and responsible handling seriously. Customers should follow appropriate biosecurity practices, monitor colonies for pests and diseases, and seek qualified beekeeping or agricultural guidance when needed.

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Customers must comply with applicable restrictions, inspection requirements, and documentation requirements relating to the movement or transport of bees.

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Orders involving transportation across state or international borders may be subject to additional requirements. Customers should confirm that their intended destination can legally receive the products ordered.

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10. Website Content and Intellectual Property

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We make reasonable efforts to keep product descriptions, photographs, prices, and other website information accurate and current. However, natural variation and changes in availability and characteristics may occur.

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Unless otherwise stated, website content, including photographs, text, logos, and designs, is owned by or licensed to us and may not be reproduced or used commercially without permission, except as permitted by law.

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11. Disclaimer and Limitation of Liability

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Our website is provided for general informational and commercial purposes. Beekeeping information is not a substitute for professional agricultural, veterinary, or other appropriate advice.

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To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for indirect or consequential losses arising from the use of our website or the keeping and management of honey bees.

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We do not guarantee that our website will always be available, uninterrupted, or error-free.

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Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, intentional misconduct, or other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited. These terms do not remove applicable consumer protections or any express guarantees we provide.

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12. Privacy and Cookies

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Your use of our website is also subject to our Privacy Policy and applicable cookie notice. These documents explain how personal information and cookies are handled.

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Our Privacy Policy is available here. 

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13. Changes to These Terms

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We may update these Terms and Conditions when our business practices, products, or legal obligations change. The revised version will be published on this page with an updated date.

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Changes will apply as permitted by law and will not retroactively remove rights associated with existing purchases where prohibited.

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14. Governing Law

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These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of California, except where applicable law requires otherwise.

Nothing in this section limits consumer rights or protections that apply under mandatory laws in another jurisdiction.

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15. Contact Information

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For questions about our products, orders, shipping, or these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

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Business Name: Honey Bee Genetics
Email:orders@honeybeegenetics.com
Website: www.honeybeegenetics.com

Mailing Address: 23011 County Road 103, Woodland, CA 95776