I've called customer service a few times now. I had a problem with a couple of my hives, and the customer service rep was very patient and friendly with helping me figure out what might be going on. They were kind enough to refer me to other local beekeepers' expertise before they tried to "upsell" me on any products. When I've researched purchasing new bee packages, I keep coming back to Rossman Apiaries. They have gentle, but hardy bees at lower prices than their competitors. They give me a courtesy call when my bees are about to be shipped, so that I am ready to receive them from the post office when they arrive. I am thoroughly impressed with their customer service, prices, and quality. read more

I was quick to buy my $750 worth of start-up apiary supplies, even with the hefty additional $150 shipping costs from this establishment because it was recommended by several of the popular beekeeping books. I was impressed with their high quality items & user friendly website & placed my order since their website stated 3-5 days delivery. PERFECT! I could order my bees & have spare time to construct my boxes! I received a confirmation email on April 21st, again stating that my items would be delivered within 3-5 days. Move ahead 6 days, today, no delivery, & my bees are coming tomorrow! So I called Rossman Apiaries to check on the shipping status & ETA. First, I discovered that many of my items were on back order, despite the website stating "in stock". Even though my parcel should have been received today, it wasn't even in queue until NEXT Monday! Then, it would take an additional 5 days from shipment! OK, OK, so things happen, I'm disappointed, but life goes on. But I did have a few questions regarding the delay & new delivery ETA. All I can say is "WOW, WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE?" So I inquire as to why the customer was not contacted to be made aware of this 1.5 week delay, which can now be the difference between life & death of a new awaiting homeless bee colony. The answer I received was "Why didn't YOU call US?" My response, of course, was that there was no way for customer to foresee items on back order, & most companies take the initiative to send courtesy Emails or phone calls if their product is to be that tardy. I spoke to two different ladies, one of which, was the owner Mrs. Anne Rossman herself, who repetitively told me it was my fault for believing what HER website & HER email confirmations told me! That "the smart thing to do" would be to contact her via phone sooner, because "why would you believe what the Internet says?" HUH? Isn't that YOUR website? What else is the customer supposed to go by? After much back & forth & my mouth literally being held agape from the absurdly rude comments, lack of professionalism, & complete absence of customer service tactics, I decide to just cancel my order. Then I am told that I am responsible for a 10% restocking fee for cancelling my order. Wait, didn't they just say that my order wasn't even queued yet & that many items were still on back order? So what "restocking" are we talking about here? Understandably, I refuse to pay them $75.00 just for the privilege of poor service, bad attitudes, & lack of social skills. I instead ask if they would be so kind as to give me a firm ETA so that I can have adequate time to cancel & reorder my bees & construct my hive in time for next week's delivery. I am given another noncommittal answer of "next Friday, or maybe the next Monday" (so ANOTHER 8-11 day time gap). I will give an update as to the outcome of my product receipt. But as of right now, Rossman Apiaries gets a HUGE thumbs down from this consumer! It's a shame too, because I am always in support of the little Mom & Pop franchises; I'll keep you posted. read more

I've been keeping bees for over 35 years. You can't ask for a more honest set of people as the Rossman family. Additionally, a good friend of mine named Dana Stahlman is a personal friend of the Rossman's recommended them to me years ago. Top shelf company. As on all farming you can't guarantee the weather and you can't guarantee the USPS. So, there you have it. read more

I've ordered queens from Rossman the last couple of years, no problems what so ever. Thank you.

I've been a bee keeper for years. I've done business with just about everyone in the supply end. First time to try rossman apiaries . I ordered a bunch of stuff from supras to foundation and frames. Mediums , shallows to just a combination of all sorts of stuff. They were very helpful and very professional. Got all my stuff same week I placed the order. As far as I'm concerned they have earned my business. I've never had better service .. They desire 5 stars!! read more

I was going to add my story of woe from Rossman's this spring (2012) but I instead want to report the positive outcome that occurred. On the online order I had selected UPS as the shipper and had checked with UPS regarding insurance coverage of the package. I did not purchase extra insurance since the standard UPS delivery covered most of the shipment. I did not request US mail specifically due to past difficulty with bee shipments (successful delivery but late). After ordering my bees 5-6 months prior to shipment, I became nervous in April since I had not heard when my bees were schedules for shipment. Upon contacting Rossman I found out my bees were schedule to be shipped in May. Any changes to the method of shipping were not mentioned. My bees were shipped via US mail but never arrived on or around the date expected. Several days after the expected date, I called Rossman and received a call that my bees were destroyed in shipment by US mail. A replacement was possible but I would have to pay for the entire order bees and shipping since I had not purchased insurance as stated by Rossman. I checked my on line receipt again and called Rossman back to state that I had not purchased insurance for US mail since I had requested and paid for UPS. I was informed that I was sent a letter informing me of the shipping date, change in the shipment to US mail and the requirement to inform them to add insurance and that now, I would have to pay for an entire new order. I am not sure when this follow up letter was sent as I do not remember receiving any such letter and my on line order receipt did not indicate any problems or follow up. After several additional phone calls and a difficult discussion, Rossman's offered to replace the bees free of charge but I would have to re-pay for the UPS shipping. While I was not overjoyed at having to repurchase the shipping I did feel that this was a reasonable solution offered by Rossman. The replacement bees arrived and are doing well. Rossman's is a well established company with a generally fine reputation. However, if there is a common theme, it is that the on-line system does not do enough to inform the customer of expectations (problems in shipping, changes to shipping or back orders). Direct orders to their Georgia line have been more successful and reliable in customer service. My feeling is that Rossman's on line system is not adequate despite its ease to use and gives a false sense of confidence, ie. Items ready, shipped as ordered. read more

Queen and 5 attendants arrived Fri evening. 3 attendants were dead. Put in cellar where I keep bees until installation. Next morning all were dead. Called rossman apiaries but they would not replace them. Will not order from them again! read more