What is the Best Online Lobster Store? If you're craving the sweet, succulent taste of fresh Maine lobster but don't live near the coast, online lobster delivery services can bring the ocean's bounty right to your door.
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The Lobster Guy (featured on Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch) is a family-owned powerhouse delivering fresh Maine lobsters and seafood nationwide. They started by shipping lobsters as a favor to West Coast friends in the 1990s, and the word-of-mouth praise was so strong they turned it into a thriving business.
The Lobster Guy takes sustainability seriously
Under Captain Tim Handrigan's leadership, The Lobster Guy maintains strict sustainable fishing practices that include "V-notching" female egg-bearing lobsters to protect breeding stock and installing escape vents in their traps for juvenile lobsters. If you're wondering whether The Lobster Guy's sustainability claims hold water, they do - the company has earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification. This globally recognized certification, combined with their adherence to federal size limits and their practice of releasing the "last keeper" of each trip, shows they're serious about preserving Maine's lobster population for future generations.
Website has improved, but navigation could still be better
Getting around The Lobster Guy's website is pretty straightforward. You'll find products divided into the following categories:
While it seems like the website has seen some updates since the last time we reviewed them (gone are the distracting banners and mismatched fonts), they're still lacking basic tools like sorting and filtering, which makes it take longer to find the lobster and other seafood products that will fit your budget.
Popular bundles combine value with free shipping
Looking for the perfect seafood feast? The Lobster Guy offers several enticing bundles that include free shipping. Their Maine Lobster Roll kit ($118) gives you everything you need to make four authentic rolls at home, while their Classic Lobster and Shellfish Dinner for Two ($130) combines fresh lobsters with chowder and shellfish. For a complete New England experience, try their Lobster Clambake for Two ($160) which includes extras like sausage-wrapped flounder and all the traditional fixings. (Customer reviews on these product listings rave about both the quality and presentation - one happy customer's dad was still talking about his birthday dinner two months later.)
Live Maine Lobster pricing fits most budgets
If you're interested in just the star of the show, The Lobster Guy's live Maine lobsters are available in a range of sizes. Prices start at just $19.99 for a 1.25-pound lobster and go up to $103 for an impressive 5-5.5-pound specimen. (Perfect for everything from an intimate dinner for two to a show-stopping centerpiece at your next gathering.)
A price guarantee with teeth
The Lobster Guy stands behind their claim of having the lowest web prices for lobsters, and they're not afraid to back it up - with one exception. They won't match prices from companies that don't guarantee live, hard-shell delivery. They can offer these competitive rates by passing along their FedEx shipping discounts and catching lobsters from their own boats.
Saturday delivery needs to be specifically requested
The Lobster Guy ships Monday through Thursday for next-day delivery Tuesday through Friday. However, you can't get deliveries on Sundays, Mondays, or holidays. Saturday delivery is possible in many areas for an extra $10 FedEx charge, but you'll need to call The Lobster Guy's customer service to confirm availability for your location.
Weather could delay your order
You can select your lobster delivery date up to 30 days in the future, though if you're doing things more last-minute, you'll need to place your order by 7 PM EST the day before your desired delivery date. Know that The Lobster Guy takes weather seriously - they monitor conditions carefully and may delay shipments if there's a risk to your order. (Not exactly what you might be used to with Prime 2-day shipping, but hey, these are live lobsters.) Once your order ships, you'll receive tracking information via email between 4-5 PM EST, and you can monitor your delivery using their website's tracking tool. Your package will arrive in a styrofoam-lined box with frozen gel packs, and optional shipping insurance is available at checkout.
The fine print on delivery
You'll need a signature for orders over $500, business deliveries, and possibly for apartment complexes. Weather delays fall under the "Act of God" clause - no refunds there, but if the package is still cold, your lobsters are good to go. Get your address right the first time, as corrections will cost you $24 and may delay delivery.
No free shipping threshold
Shipping charges are based on package weight and delivery distance. It's worth noting that there's no free shipping threshold - a drawback if your main criteria is overall price - but you can get free shipping on a few select products that can be found in their "Free Shipping Specials" section.
Strict but fair return policies
You obviously can't return lobsters or other perishable seafood items, but non-perishable items like merchandise can be sent back (with prior approval and a 10% restocking fee). If there's an issue with your order, you must report it within 4 hours of delivery with photos of any damage. (Reasonable, considering we're dealing with live seafood here.)
Mixed reviews across platforms
While The Lobster Guy maintains a respectable 4.5-star rating on Google Reviews and an "A+" Better Business Bureau rating with only 5 complaints in three years, their Trustpilot score tells a different story - just 2.8 stars from 31 reviews, split almost evenly between 5-star and 1-star experiences. While the core product quality seems consistent, with customers praising the taste and freshness of their lobsters when they arrive properly, when things go wrong with The Lobster Guy, they tend to go spectacularly wrong.
Special occasions gone wrong
One particularly heartbreaking review detailed a failed delivery for a terminal cancer patient's special request, while another customer's Christmas Eve delivery never arrived. Even smaller mishaps, like a forgotten birthday cake or partially thawed lobster tails, reveal a concerning pattern in how the company handles service recovery - often offering minimal solutions that don't acknowledge the emotional impact of a ruined special occasion (because let's be honest, nobody orders live lobster delivery for a casual Tuesday dinner).
Room for improvement
For a premium seafood delivery service, we'd suggest The Lobster Guy invest in more robust customer service. While some customers report excellent experiences with helpful, polite staff and perfect deliveries, others encounter frustrating responses to legitimate concerns. We think this company would benefit a lot from additional customer service representatives trained to handle issues with more empathy and authority to make things right when special moments are impacted. However, they still do really well on price and selection, so The Lobster Guy maintains a good rating overall.
Continued from above...
If you're craving the sweet, succulent taste of fresh Maine lobster but don't live near the coast, online lobster delivery services can bring the ocean's bounty right to your door.
Whether you're planning a special dinner, hosting an event, or just craving seafood, online lobster stores offer something for everyone. Beyond just live lobsters, you'll find pre-cooked lobster meat, ready-to-heat tails, gourmet lobster roll kits, and chef-prepared meals like lobster mac & cheese and bisque. Many stores also offer complete dinner packages that include appetizers, sides, and even desserts. These services are especially valuable for inland residents without access to fresh seafood, busy professionals seeking convenience, and restaurants or caterers needing reliable suppliers.
However, not all online lobster retailers are created equal. One subtle distinction lies between corporate operations disguised as small fisheries and genuine small-scale operations. Corporate sellers often prioritize volume and profit margins, potentially compromising on freshness, quality, and customer service. In contrast, authentic small fisheries typically maintain direct relationships with local lobstermen, ensuring fresher products and supporting coastal communities.
For example, some corporate retailers may store lobsters for weeks in holding facilities, while small fisheries often ship lobsters that were in the ocean just days before. Small, family-owned lobster fisheries are also more likely to care about resolving issues with your order if something goes wrong.
With so many options out there, how do you make the best choice? Here are a few things to keep in mind when ordering lobsters online for delivery:
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best lobster delivery services available online. We hope our reviews help you find the perfect lobster provider to satisfy your lobster cravings with confidence.
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