Friday, November 28, 2014

The Perfect Christmas Dinner Combo - Green Money and Red Lobsters




If you don't mind spending quite a few green dollars, you can have a delightful Christmas dinner of red lobsters from Maine, even if you live in California.

What's the cost?

Here are some examples:

1. $102.50. Cousin's Maine Lobsters (based in California, but shipping from New England). The price for 2 lobsters (1.25 lbs) is $70.00 plus $32.50 to ship to Torrance, California. Cousin's is probably the most famous lobster shipper, due to their appearance on Shark Tank. They were given a deal and partnered with Barbara Corcoran to expand their lobster roll truck business in Los Angeles. They sell a number of lobster products on their website.

2. Dorr Lobsters. This company is located in Maine and charges $60.00 plus shipping for two medium (1.25 lbs) lobsters. But overnight shipping is free if your order totals $100.00. So you could get four lobsters for a total price of $120.00, or $30.00 each. This is the lowest price that I have found.

3. Hancock Gourmet Lobster Company. $122.00 for two medium lobsters. $70 for the lobster and $52.00 for shipping. This company is also based in Maine and ships live lobsters as well as dinners, samplers, and entrees. A Lobster roll dinner for two is priced at $118.00, plus shipping.

These three companies seem to be reputable firms that will give you a good product for your money. You can check the internet for other sources.

Here's some things to consider:

1. Not all lobsters are created equal

Every company online claims to sell live Maine lobsters, but in reality lobsters come from all over New England, and Canada. Lobsters are shellfish, which filter water and their taste is in direct proportion to the water temperature and quality. The colder, and cleaner the water, the better the lobster. The best lobsters come from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Canada.


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 store's 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 - UPS and FED EX are the best options.  

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