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