wine tip

1
Not all lobsters are created equal

Every company online claims to sell live Maine lobsters
but the truth is that most lobster comes from all over New England
and even some from Canada. Lobsters are shellfish
which filter water and therefore their taste is dependant on water temperature and quality. The colder
and cleaner the water
the better the lobster. It is recommended to purchase lobster form a source in Maine
New Hampshire or Canada
where the water is cold and the pollution is minimal.

2
Know what you're paying for. Shipping or Lobsters?

If you try to compare the prices of lobster online one of the first things you'll notice is that the prices are all over the place. Some retailers include shipping
some retailers charge a flat rate
and some charge the actual shipping cost. This can make it incredibly confusing when trying to find the best prices. To find the best price
you should calculate the price of two chicken lobsters (1.0 - 1.25 pound) with shipping. This can be hard because many sites like to hide their shipping cost until you're just about to finish the order!

3
Lobster price and quality can differ throughout the year

New England weather
and the life cycle of a lobster
cause the price and quality of live Maine lobster to be quite different throughout the calendar year. In the winter months
especially January
February and March
the cold weather in New England hinders fishermen's ability to catch a large quantity of lobster. As a result
the price is extremely high during those months. The price is the lowest in the late summer and early fall
when fishing is easier and the lobsters are plentiful. A lobster also molts it shell
causing the shell to be harder and softer at different times of the year. Lobster shells are the hardest in the spring.

4
Check the stores return policy because lobsters can die!

Make sure to check the return policy before you place your order. Lobsters are shipped live
and while they don't often die
it does happen. Make sure that you can get your money back if this happens. Some websites only refund the lobster prices
and not the shipping. You may even want to call and ask what the refund policy is before you place your order.

5
Find out how the lobsters will be shipped

Shipping is a large percentage of the overall live lobster purchase. Make sure the store you buy from uses a reputable carrier. In our experience
FedEx is far more reliable than UPS or DHL. Their customer service and ability to deliver on time is far superior to any other carrier. Some stores even contract with a shipping logistics company to ensure that your packages are routed to their destination in the most efficient way. This is extremely important when purchasing anything that is alive and perishable.

In conclusion
buying lobsters online can be a large investment
so make sure you're using the best company possible. Unlike non perishable merchandise
the manner in which lobsters are caught
handled and shipped can have a huge impact on the quality. If you make sure to follow these guild lines
you should have a great experience with live Maine lobsters.