E.H. Thorne (Beehives) Ltd - Market Rasen

Smiley H.

I would think that with the inflated prices Thornes seem to be charging these days it won’t be long before they price themselves out of what is becoming a competitive market.
I recently visited the National Honey Show which is, to all intents and purposes, a trade fair where beekeepers can buy equipment often at reduced prices. In the past, I’ve stocked up here as there is often a discount or deal to be had. Well not at Thornes this time. I was shocked at their pricing.
Consequently, Maisemore - a direct competitor - made a killing and sold out on many of their deals.
I’m afraid Thornes is going to lose me as a customer. It really pays to shop around.

agamurad A.

Ok company, ok products. A bit slow on delivery. Adrian from customer service wasn’t nice. Comparing to Abelos customer services Thorne miles away. Minimum order is quoted high as well.

-1 star for minimum order
-2 for customer service

R C.

Great service and quality of workmanship. Called up and they managed to process my order quickly and Gill was extremely helpful. Highly recommend for all bee keeping kit

Vanessa W.

I ordered ‘Bees on a budget’ pack in March this year and I was happy with the kit provided, I didn’t think there was a delay in postage however I was in no rush to receive the products and do notice they put up a sign for delays.
When I went to make a further order earlier this month I noticed that there was a recall of their smokers due to ASBESTOS in the bellows. I went onto Live Chat to query if the smoker included in pack was part of the recall. An advisor had responded to say hello but never said anything about my query, nor was there a follow up email sent so assumed that all was fine. I was then very upset to find on a Facebook group that in fact my smoker had been part of a recall, I emailed with my proof of purchase and said that I was unhappy with the service as I had contacted via live chat. Gill the director of Thorne replied, replacement bellows but no apology for the issue, no offer of resolving to dispose of it, said that I shouldn’t have contacted via live chat and stated ‘Live Chat may well be great when it is a huge organisation but finding anything on the smaller version is impossible.’
I think if he had actually read my email he would’ve understood that I was querying this prior to their announcement. If he had also reviewed the chat which he can, he would see the advisor actually never got back to me either although he’s sure they did. I explained that he hadnt even offered an apology and how for me to dispose of this ASBESTOS contaminated item involved a three hour journey with a small child. No empathy no care, Gill already has his money so ‘ I am sorry to hear that you feel as you do. Clearly, you have made up your mind so no amount of further explanation would change it.I will arrange to send you a complete replacement smoker.’ Will have to do

By looking at the reviews and the way they handle their customer service this company needs to have a look at how they handle complaints, especially when selling products containing asbestos which is totally illegal. Feel completely let down

Editing this due to Rebecca’s reply

Not sure how you can say that I have a galvanised smoker without checking. The photo of the product in the recall is the exact one I have. The galvanised ones you provide are different.
‘However given the tone of your communications with Gill’ I would like to see what your thoughts on the tone are because by the way this has been handled I can assure you that customer service and the safety of our products are not taken very seriously. Still complete lack of empathy and resolve.

Joe S.

Really really good. My dad bought me a bees on a budget national, flat packed. Included delivery to the Isle of Man, £175 in total. Good value, good quality (cedar) and arrived within a few days.

On this basis my father in law bought the same days later ready for next season.

I have ordered bits and bobs over the years and I'm always pleased with the service.

mark P.

A very unhelpful customer service, they are happy to sell you a product the wrong size and then say we can sell you a hive to fit it! I absolutely won’t use them again

Birds A. O. W.

Great products served at a very reasonable price. I have recently ordered my 5th hive from them and the service from them is excellent. They also use decent and reliable couriers which tends to be a problem with other suppliers.

Colin L.

This company is painfully slow with delivery. Their Customer Service is abysmal, and the attitude of Director, Rebecca Coleman leaves a great deal to be desired. She is extremely curt and rude. Thorne’s prices are higher than others too. I will not use their company.

Having now received a reply from the company, I can confirm that it is some time since I last ordered from them, because of slow delivery and high prices. In response to my complaint of slow delivery, my message was met with a feeble explanation of the fact that during sale time, they received a great many orders, and this slowed down the delivery process. I responded by saying that they should take on extra staff knowing that such quantity of orders was received by them, and that they were not concerned about customers, and were only driven by the business needs. I stated that I would shop elsewhere.

In response to my email, Rebecca Coleman, cancelled my order, and rebuked me, along with a curt and rude reply. She did not in anyway try to ease the situation. She is only defending her, and her companies actions, which in this day and age, falls foul of the requirements of customers.

In summary, the company appears to take their time with despatch, as confirmed by other comments, but they have now added an unfriendly Customer Service attitude.

There are many more suppliers of quality Beekeeping hives and accessories, that provide a speedier delivery, supported by good and friendly Customer Service. I resent being treated in this manner, when there exists far friendlier companies, who respect and support their customers, recognising that they are the lifeblood of their firm. They have an urgent need to revise their Customer Service procedure, especially when delivered by one of their own directors.