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