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