Should I order an overwintered nuc or a spring nuc?

People often ask whether they should buy overwintered nucs or those from that spring.  The answer we offer is "it depends".  Personally, we feel that the current year Spring nucs are a better deal, and certainly more appropriate for new beekeepers.  There are several reasons for this - not the least of which that it gives you more time to get your hives and locations ready (and do more pre-pick-up learning), and less-likely chance of having to deal with bees that want to swarm (although swarming has been crazy in general the past couple years, even with new queens and virgin swarms).  In either case, it is very important that you plan to feed your bees continuously until Fall to get them built-up, new comb drawn and filled, and otherwise ready for winter.  You should never plan to take honey from a first year nuc nor attempt to make your own split that first year (unless they plan to swarm on their own), so getting a nuc in June or early-July still provides you with plenty of time to build them up before winter and at less cost/effort.  For those experienced beekeepers that may have drawn comb and food reserves left from a winter dead-out, and are knowledgeable/prepared to deal with swarming, the overwintered nucs may (or may not) make more sense.