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Step 1
Locate an online seller who ships live Maine lobsters (see Resources below). The Maine Lobster Promotion Council's website has a searchable directory of lobster vendors who will ship live lobsters.
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Step 2
Ask the vendor where the lobsters come from and if they are certified Maine lobsters. Certified Maine lobsters come from Maine waters and are caught by licensed Maine lobstermen.
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Step 3
Check the shipping costs, which can be high, and also compare the costs of purchasing lobster from at least two online vendors. Shipping costs can vary from vendor to vendor, and it's worth checking the overall price of more than one seller. The best way to compare is to check both sellers' prices for shipping one lobster of the same weight.
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Step 4
Find out how the lobster will be shipped. Because it will be shipped live, it is perishable, and it must be shipped the quickest way possible. Ask the vendor about which shipping service they use and what the estimated delivery time is.
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Step 5
Look for lobsters that weigh under 2 lb., since a smaller lobster is younger and thus its meat is sweeter and more tender.
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Step 6
Eat the lobster the day it arrives. Boiling and steaming are two popular methods of cooking live lobster. To boil it, bring a large pot of water to boil on the stove, and drop the lobster in. After 10 to 13 minutes, when it turns a bright red, remove the pot from the stove and serve the lobster with melted butter. To steam, do not fill the pot with water; instead, bring 2 cups of water to boil and add the lobster. Cook until it turns a bright red, about 15 minutes.
