Why It Costs More To Get A Live Lobster Online by Brian Schwartz

If you're like most people you have two options to get a live lobster: visit your local store or order one online. When you go online and come across the steep prices, you may be tempted to rush to your store to buy one. But think twice because there are several reasons why the online prices are excessive as compared to your supermarket prices.

The first and foremost reason is that live lobsters bought online, are juicier and fresher than store ones because they are caught and shipped directly from the source. Lobsters feed on mussels, clams, shellfish and other sea creatures. Supermarkets generally keep lobsters in huge tanks where they don't get proper food supplements. This weakens them and causes them to wither away. Besides, lobsters are not very social and prefer keeping to themselves. If forced to thrive in an environment that includes other lobsters they wage war and end up fighting to death. They lose their meat and shrink to half their size after being kept in a tank for a couple of weeks. So the lobster you get in a store is at best a pathetic replica of the quintessential Maine lobster.

Another reason why online lobsters cost more is because of heavy duty shipping fees. Most lobsters are shipped overnight. The cost of shipping usually depends on how far away you are from the source. But, no matter the proximity shipping charges are quite costly. UPS, DHL and Fed Ex are the common services that are used. Fed Ex is supposed to be the best in terms of timely delivery and excellent customer service.

Some companies charge a flat price inclusive of the price of the lobster and shipping charges. Others claim they don't charge shipping but include it in the overall price. In most cases, companies don't disclose the shipping charges until you've almost completed the order. While shopping online, look for companies with minimum shipping charges. In many cases shipping fees may be dispensed with because companies want to further their customer base and increase goodwill.

The prices of lobsters rise during winter and fall in summer. Prices escalate in the months of January, February and March since the supply is scarce. This is because it is tough to catch lobsters on account of the extreme cold. If you're looking for a good bargain, it's best to shop for lobsters between the months of May and September.

Getting a live lobster online may be pretty expensive, but the high cost is offset by its flavor and freshness. Supermarket lobsters may come cheap but do you really want something that's only semi-alive and semi-fresh? To get a good deal online you'll have to put in a little more effort to compare prices and shipping charges. Still it's well worth the effort. If you want to savor a delicious meal why not go all out to order a live lobster fresh out of Maine. After all, it's not something you do everyday.

Celebrate, anytime of year, anywhere in the country, with the finest live lobster from LongLiveLobster.com - Happy Cracking!