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Monday, April 21st
Lobster Order is an online retailer specializing in products sourced from renowned suppliers like Robert Wholey & Co. and Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. While their sales volume may be relatively low - our conclusion based on the lobster store's limited feedback - Lobster Order does have some fantastic sustainability practices. And with a range of foods including non-seafood options, Lobster Order proves to be an interesting browse even with higher-than-average prices.
Website could use a little refresh
Overall, the website for Lobster Order is easy to use. While some of the pages can be visually cluttered, you can generally find what you need on Lobster Order. For example, every listing that you can buy with free shipping has a little indicator in the top corner that shows "free shipping” before you even click on the product. And while the styling is modern, it looks like they didn't check the user interface for things like the top banner where the text for different tabs is cramped and confusing.
Prices are too high to be competitive
To conduct a price comparison among different retailers, we examined three specific products at Lobster Order. We looked at the prices for live lobster, the prices for a non-lobster item, and the prices for any package or bundles available at Lobster Order. Lobster Order has live lobster, just the tails, and lobster rolls. Prices for live lobster at Lobster Order start as low as $89.99 for two 1 oz lobsters and up to $169.99 for a 6-pack of lobsters. For their non-lobster items, Lobster Order offers a competitive array of crab, hot dogs, rolls, and chowders. For the price comparison, we looked at their chowder options. There were only two chowders and bisques and both cost $49.99 for 16 servings.
Lobster packages
Finally, the package options at Lobster Order include 8 meals like lobster rolls or holiday lobster feasts. The pricing for Lobster Meals ranges from $149.99 to $749.99. Overall, the prices at Lobster Order are somewhat high compared to other companies, especially considering some of the small portions in their live lobster listings.
Meeting sustainability milestones
Sustainability milestones have been achieved by Lobster Order based on the fisheries they source from. Over the course of 150 years, the fisheries used by Lobster Order have adhered to strict self-imposed environmental guidelines. To prevent entanglements of large animals, they have removed 27,000 miles of floating ground line. The adoption of enhanced gear safety measures in 2009 has resulted in a significant 90% reduction in known U.S. lobster gear entanglements. Notably, there have been no reported deaths or serious injuries to Right Whales attributed to Maine Lobster gear.
Gift certificate process is confusing
There is only one main gift option from Lobster Order, and it's a little confusing. The company offers one gift certificate, and to purchase it you fill out a form. Instead of buying pre-paid certificates, you fill in the price, and it's not clear if there is a limit or minimum for how much you can add to the certificate. It would be helpful to customers if this was more clear.
Shipping policy is generous
We love the free shipping available at Lobster Order. The shipping policy implemented by the company states that orders made after 4:00 pm Maine time will be shipped on the next day for delivery on the following day. However, the policy does not allow for shipping on Saturdays for Sunday delivery or on Sundays for Monday delivery. Still, the company offers free shipping, which is a much better deal than most companies in our review.
No returns and no full refunds
On the other hand, the returns policy regarding live lobsters is very unfavorable: no returns are accepted for live lobsters. Lobster Order does note that credits will be issued if there are shipping delays caused by UPS/FedEx, resulting in abnormal loss. However, a 5% loss can be expected, meaning customers won't get all of their money back even if there is a problem with the order. In the event that lobsters arrive dead but the box is still cold, customers are recommended to cook them, so they will not be replaced by Lobster Order. Overall, this is one of the worst return policies in our review.
Almost no reviews for Lobster Order
If you want to check out how Lobster Order stacks up with customers, it's not so easy to do. The company doesn't have any presence on the Better Business Bureau website. On top of that, there are only a handful of total reviews available. The only review we could find was on a blog and it did give the service 4.5 stars out of 5, but there are no other concrete or third-party reviews that corroborate this rating. There are some customer reviews on the actual Lobster Order website, but it's important to take these with a grain of salt as they are not verified by a third party.
Lots of concerns with Lobster Order
Overall, Lobster Order is a little disappointing as an online lobster store. The prices are relatively high compared to other companies, particularly considering the portion sizes offered in their live lobster listings. And the return policy is completely customer-unfriendly, with no returns accepted for live lobsters and only partial credits issued in certain circumstances. Lastly, the lack of reviews and reputation for Lobster Order raises some concerns, as there is limited feedback available from customers and no presence on the Better Business Bureau website. Lobster Order doesn't get the lowest rating in our review, but it's still not one of our top-rated options.
Whether you're a lobster aficionado, or someone who simply relishes a delectable shellfish feast, finding a trustworthy online lobster store can feel hard to do. Modern lobster catchers offer tons of options, including live lobster, lobster tails and meat, lobster rolls, and even fun extras like chowder, bisques, or steaks for a surf and turf dinner.
Exploring the diverse array of lobster stores is made easy with the convenience of online shopping, enabling you to peruse and select from the comfort of your own home. While some people worry about buying something like lobster online, with next-day shipping practices it's now much easier to get lobsters from the ocean to your table with no risk of spoiling.
Shopping for seafood online offers distinct advantages in terms of freshness and quality. Reputable vendors prioritize the freshness of their products through rigorous quality control measures, often sourcing their shellfish directly from fishermen or sustainable fisheries, thereby embracing a farm-to-table ethos. Moreover, online lobster stores frequently provide access to rare or specialty dishes that may not be readily available locally, granting you the opportunity to indulge in exceptional culinary experiences.
Lobster holds a special place in the hearts of many. Considered a high-end meal with tons of options out there for species and preparation, lobster is a culinary masterpiece. With a vast assortment of products, online lobster stores enable you to explore a diverse range of species and savor novel flavors or combinations. And not only can you enjoy lobster in your home regardless of where you live, but most stores also allow you to send gifts of lobster treats to your loved ones too.
For those who are thinking about sustainability, don't worry. Sustainability plays a crucial role in the lobster industry, ensuring the long-term viability of this beloved seafood. Lobsters are a valuable marine resource, and responsible practices are essential to maintain healthy populations and protect the ecosystem. The industry has implemented various sustainability measures, such as size limits and trap limits, to prevent overfishing and promote the growth and reproduction of lobsters. Additionally, the best lobster stores online are making efforts to minimize bycatch and protect sensitive habitats.
With an abundance of online lobster stores to choose from, making a decision can be overwhelming. If you're unsure where to begin, fret not. We're here to assist. Here are some factors to consider that will help you select the best online lobster store to meet your specific needs:
To make your next gourmet meal a real catch, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and rated the best options for lobster stores on the market today. Hopefully, this helps you enjoy your shellfish fix and focus on deciding just how many lobster rolls to buy for your next family cookout!
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