Host a Hive Complaints

williamlowe11

Google Reviews · posted approximately one year before collection

While the hives arrived on time, we didn't really get much follow-up. When I asked about our hives he said that he'd been out and they were fine when I knew that one had failed. Later on, after the second hive failed, I mentioned this and he started that he had me confused with another client. In October, I asked about the honey delivery, he said that would be in November. Here it is January, 2025 and we never received any honey. I think that the issue might be that we are in Minneapolis, which is too far from his home base.

Response from the owner

We are sorry you feel this way. We have visited your hives several times (we have the gps data to back that up), and though we do not normally use others people equipment, which we agreed to with yours, the hive equipment may have contributed to the fall of the hives. As we explained in our last communication to you, we boosted the one that failed mid season only to have it also fail again. The other hive absconded or similar and fall is way to late to get colonies in hives and ready for Winter. We have no issue with your location and your honey is still on its way to you. When asked last before equipment broke down, we anticipated Nov.

Madison Solomon Schwabe

Google Reviews · posted approximately three weeks before collection

We were happy with this service until it was time for removal of the hive. I have been trying to get a hold of someone since October due to moving addresses and in preparation to sell the house we needed to have the high removed and I still cannot get a hold of someone for assistance. The customer service and lack of communication is awful. The first season went well and we got all of our Honey. last season Nobody ever came to prep the hive for the winter and we've never received our Honey so I'm not sure what we were even paying for!

Response from the owner

What and what? We did prep the hive for Winter and if you never received honey we will get it to you asap. I'll check tracking to see what happened. We have been down the only truck that services your area. We sent out an update email over two weeks ago. As soon as we hit your area we will get the hive picked up.

B Carter

Google Reviews · edited, posted approximately two years before collection · four photographs attached to the original

This was a very disappointing experience. We were approved for Host a Hive bees in February and paid a $99 deposit. Then in April, we were asked to put down another $200, with the promise of bees being delivered and set up sometime that month or early May. We heard twice from them after that, in general emails sent to all their customers at once, pushing the delivery timeframe back. As of July 2024, we have no bees, no further communication, and no response to our multiple requests for a refund. I am deeply saddened, as I was really looking forward to this experience.

Edited to respond to your response:

You guys are full of it. You "never promise a timeframe"? Here are two emails from you, one in April and one the second week in May, stating the timeframe you would have them out. I then asked for a refund the second and third week in June, with no response from you.

It's really unprofessional that you cannot just apologize and accept responsibility for poor communication and lack of delivery. The response to other reviews that you've given are just as unprofessional. I will be seeking Full refund compensation, and am willing to put this through small claims court if you refuse to own up to the fact that you did not deliver on promised goods.

Response from the owner

We are sorry you had a disappointing experience. We never "Promise" any installation timeframe other than we install most of our new accounts in the Spring. We saw your email wanting to cancel, and we removed your installation from our list of customers that now all have their hives in place. This year we struggled slightly with the bees and weather which pushed out us placing them by a couple weeks than normal. Per our terms which you can view at https://www.kinnibees.com/host-a-hive-terms we do not refund 100% of the deposit as we have costs into the hive and bees as well. We will process your 50% refund per the terms.

We did send out several emails indicating our timing and didn't get any additional negative comments on the timing or communication.

Edit: I think we both dodged a bullet.

The company states it never promises an installation timeframe. The reviewer states she holds two emails from the company giving one, and attached four photographs to her review. Readers can view those photographs on the original posting.