If your questions are not answered below, please feel free to email us at boxes4bluebirds@yahoo.com, or call our toll-free customer service line at 1-800-957-7649.
Why would I buy your assembly-required kit when you also offer your boxes fully assembled?
We offer the option of a pre-assembled box or an assembly-required kit. There are several reasons you might consider the kit option:
1.) Your shipping expense is a little less with the assembly-required kit.
2.) The assembly is easy and can be part of the educational process of learning how to be a bluebirder, especially for kids.
3.) The kit form is easier and more efficient to store, transport and display. This may be important to other retailers who may be interested in our wholesale program, or to anyone who is interested in a larger quantity of boxes and they know they will be transporting them further to a bluebirding site.
Why should I choose the option of adding your Pocket Monitoring Guide for $3.00 more when there is so much information readily available on the internet about bluebird monitoring?
The abundance of information is precisely why we decided to write and professionally print this pocket guide. There is so much detailed information out there that it can be difficult to narrow all the information down to just the basics of what you need to know to get started. Additionally, our guide was printed as a pocket guide so that you can easily take it with you in the field. Click here to read more about what is included in the guide.
Why would I choose to purchase one of your sectional mounting posts when I can get that from my local hardware store?
Again, this is an option, so you have the choice. Many people find the convenience of recieving everything they need from us to be worth the extra cost. While it is true that you can get the same materials from your local hardware store, you still have to cut the post down, or have someone cut it (electrical conduit is sold in 10-foot lengths), and you still have to devise a way to mount the box to the post. If you purchase our sectional post with your box, we include a pre-assembled mounting mechanism on the back of the box. Also, our sectional post is easier to transport to your site if you own a small car because a single post would be about seven feet long if you mount your box to the recommended height of five feet.
Are your nest boxes NABS approved?
Yes! Our nestboxes are officially approved by the North American Bluebird Society.
What type of wood are your boxes made out of?
Our boxes are made of cedar, pine or aspen. All three of these types of wood hold up very well in the elements and should last many years. We specify in our product listings which type of wood was used. As of spring, 2008 we are in the process of evaluating the possibility of using wood from a local sustainable forestry company. This wood would be either pine or aspen, harvested in an ecologically sustainable way. Soon, we hope to be able to offer a choice between nest boxes made from sustainably harvested wood, or nest boxes made from traditionally harvested wood.
Where can I learn more about bluebird monitoring?
Consider purchasing one of our exclusive "Bluebird Monitor's Field Guides." We sell them seperately for just $4.95 with free shipping. If you decide to go ahead and purchase one of our nest boxes now, you can choose to include our pocket guide with your order for just $3.00 additional, which we highly recommend. Our guide contains all the basic information you need to get started, and it also includes blank formatted log sheets for recording your observations right into the booklet, in the field.
For more in-depth information, start by reading our About Bluebirds page and then go to our Links page where you will find links to various excellent resources on bluebird conservation.
Why do you have one bluebird box for Western and Mountain Bluebirds and a different one for Eastern Bluebirds?
The three sub-species of bluebirds have slightly different characteristics. Over the years bluebird conservationists have determined that the Western and Mountain Bluebirds do better in a slightly larger box with a slighly larger entrance. It is true that the bluebirds themselves are not that picky. But, as bluebird conservationists, one of our objectives is to maximize the chances of bluebirds successfully raising their young. These minor differences between the two boxes can help increase your success rate.
Be sure to know which sub-species lives and breeds in your area. If you live in a rare area where both Easterns and one of the other two are present (like SE Arizona), you should buy the Western/Mountain box. The Easterns can deal with a slightly larger box a little better than the Mountains and Westerns can deal with a smaller box. Please refer to our About Bluebirds page to determine which sub-species lives in your area.
Why do bluebirds need these man-made nest boxes? Don't they find nesting areas on their own in the wild?
The bluebird population declined drastically in the 20th century for a number of reasons, two of which are: 1.) The alteration of their natural habitat by humans. This has led to a significant reduction of viable nesting sites for the finicky bluebird. 2.) The well-intentioned introduction of the house sparrow from Europe. The House Sparrow is a very aggressive bird that will take over bluebird nest sites and dominate the bluebirds. This has led to the inability of bluebirds to reproduce due to the unnatural competition from the imported house sparrow. For these reasons the future survival of the North American Bluebird depends on active conservation efforts that are based on providing and monitoring bluebird nest boxes. To learn more general information about bluebirds, go to our About Bluebirds page.
Do you have a return policy?
We support full-refund returns for 30-days after you receive your kit as long as the kit is returned to us in re-sellable condition. Please see our Return Policy page for more details.
Once I make my payment, how long does it take for you to ship?
We will typically ship your nest box kit to you within 48 business hours after your payment unless you are purchasing ten or more boxes. For orders of ten or more boxes, we will make them to your order and we will quote you an estimated time frame for production and shipping. If it is less than 30 boxes, we should be able to produce your order and get them shipped within 7 business days. Please see our Shipping Terms page for more details on our shipping policies, pricing and procedures.
Do you offer volume discounts?
Yes we do ! Please visit our Volume Discounts page for more details.
Do you sell your nest boxes wholesale to other retailers?
Yes we do ! Please see our Dealer Program page for more details.
Do you have special discounts for government or non-profit organizations?
Yes we do! Please visit our Government and Non-Profit page for more details.
Do you offer drop-shipping (direct shipping) for wholesale customers?
Yes we do ! Please see our Dealer Program page for more details on our drop-shipping policies and procedures.
