| If you own a restaurant or are having a large | | | | broken down by pounds of lobster and shipping |
| family get together, serving lobsters for | | | | cost. Shipping can be rather expensive, so |
| dinner isn't as expensive as you think. | | | | don't be shocked if it is several hundred |
| While a fancy restaurant might charge 30-40 | | | | dollars. |
| dollars a plate, you can order live Maine | | | | |
| lobster for as little at 6 or 7 dollars a | | | | Most distributors give two options for |
| pound! | | | | shipping. FedEx/UPS or Air Freight. FedEx |
| | | | UPS is great because it is delivered right to |
| The first step is finding a distributor. The | | | | your front door even on the weekend. This |
| Maine lobster industry is regulated by the | | | | convenience comes at a cost, shipping 100 |
| state and remains for the most part family | | | | pounds overnight through FedEx will cost you |
| owned and operated. This is a good thing! | | | | over 200 dollars. FedEx should be used when |
| While most large corporate distributors | | | | your total weight is low, or you are unable |
| wouldn't waste their time dealing with a | | | | to use air freight. |
| small order, a family run lobster pound will | | | | |
| most likely bend over backwards to obtain | | | | The second option, Air Freight, is much less |
| your business. | | | | expensive, but also less convenient. The |
| | | | lobster distributor will pack up your lobster |
| You can easily find a good lobster | | | | and drive them to a local airport. The |
| distributor using a search engine such as | | | | lobsters will be placed on an airplane and |
| Yahoo or Google. I would use keywords such | | | | flown to an airport close to you. Most often |
| as "wholesale lobster" or "wholesale live | | | | you will be required to pick up the lobsters |
| lobster". This will return a myriad of | | | | at the airport. Air freight will cost you |
| results, some better than others. Look for a | | | | between 50 and 75 cents per pound. So to |
| lobster distributor who welcomes small | | | | ship 100 pounds may only cost 50-75 dollars, |
| orders. Many places will have a page devoted | | | | much less then if you used FedEx or UPS. |
| to wholesale inquires. Just submit an email | | | | |
| and leave your name and number, along with | | | | Your lobsters will arrive in a large box |
| how much lobster you want to order. Someone | | | | packed with ice packs and special pads to old |
| should return you email and give you price | | | | in ocean water. Lobster should be placed in |
| quote. | | | | refrigeration with the box open to the air. |
| | | | You should plan to have your lobster |
| When you get the price quote, make sure it is | | | | delivered on the day you wish to serve them. |