A clearer process for serious buyers and sellers.

The Glass Exchange is a curated auction platform for high-end, artist-made functional glass presented with a stronger editorial standard than casual peer-to-peer marketplaces.

The focus is on serious collector pieces, cleaner presentation, more confidence in bidding, and a more structured path from submission through payout.

Yes. We consider both, provided the piece is clean, accurately represented, and appropriate for a collector-focused auction format.

Condition, authorship, ownership history, and overall quality of presentation all matter.

No. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Quality, condition, ownership history, photography, and reserve expectations all matter.

We curate every listing. If a reserve price is set unrealistically high, we may ask that it be lowered before acceptance. Listings must be positioned to sell.

All auctions are subject to final seller approval before going live.

Before any listing goes live, we review it for authorship, condition accuracy, photography quality, and reserve realism. We also assign a shipping guidance level based on value, fragility, and delivery risk.

After curation, the seller reviews and approves the final listing. Nothing is published without that confirmation. This process means every listing on the platform reflects a standard — not just a self-submitted form.

Seller settlement is held until delivery is confirmed and a 72-hour inspection period closes cleanly. During that period, the buyer can raise a dispute if the piece does not match what was described. If a dispute is filed, we step in to review both sides before The Glass Exchange team coordinates any settlement.

This structure gives buyers a clear, protected window to confirm the piece arrived as described — not just an expectation that everything will go smoothly.

Approved pieces are presented in a timed auction format with reviewed photography, structured written presentation, and a public comment thread.

The goal is to present every listing with the clarity and confidence bidders need before placing binding bids.

It gives buyers and sellers a public place to ask and answer questions so all bidders see the same information.

That shared visibility helps reduce confusion and keeps important disclosure out in the open.

When bids arrive near the scheduled close, the auction extends briefly so active bidders have a fair chance to respond.

This helps prevent last-second bid drops from ending the auction abruptly.

Watching a listing lets members follow bidding activity, keep it saved in their dashboard, and return to it quickly as the close approaches.

It is designed to make active participation easier without requiring a bid immediately.

To reduce sniping, bids placed during the final two minutes extend the auction by another two minutes.

This gives active bidders a fair chance to respond instead of allowing the auction to end abruptly on a last-second bid.

No. Once an auction is live, it is intended to run through its scheduled close.

In some cases, yes. Buyers may request to inspect a piece in person prior to auction close, but only if the seller agrees.

This is most common for high-value pieces, collections, or transactions where additional comfort is important to both sides.

All listings on The Glass Exchange are auction-based.

We do not offer Buy It Now (BIN) pricing. Pieces are sold exclusively through live auctions, and sellers cannot finalize sales outside of the platform once a listing is active.

If you want a piece, the way to secure it is by participating in the auction and placing the winning bid.

This format ensures fair access, transparent pricing, and a better experience for both buyers and sellers.

Every listing has been reviewed by the platform team before going live. We check authorship, condition notes, and photography for accuracy. Sellers are required to disclose all known condition issues — material misrepresentation is grounds for listing removal and account action.

Buyers should also use the public comment thread to ask specific questions before bidding. Sellers are expected to answer publicly so all bidders have the same information.

If a discrepancy is discovered after delivery, the buyer has 72 hours to raise a dispute before the transaction is considered complete.

Yes. Public comments and live bidding are reserved for approved member accounts using reviewed display names.

Member accounts are used for public comments, bidding access, watched listings, and activity tracking.

Display names are reviewed before activation to reduce spam, impersonation, and offensive handles.

The buyer dashboard helps members track watched listings, active bids, outbid alerts, won pieces, and the post-delivery inspection period.

It is meant to keep bidding and post-sale activity organized in one place.

No. Bids cannot be retracted or cancelled once placed. Buyers should review the listing carefully, inspect the photos, read the condition notes, and ask questions before bidding.

All bids are intended to be binding.

If you are the winning bidder, a 5% buyer's fee is collected at auction close. The seller then confirms shipping and insurance costs. Once finalized, you'll receive an invoice for the remaining balance: final sale price + shipping + insurance. You can complete payment by card (3% processing fee applies) or by bank transfer, ACH, wire, or Zelle at no additional charge.

The transaction is considered complete only after delivery is confirmed and the 72-hour inspection period has passed cleanly, or the transaction is otherwise verified as complete. The Glass Exchange team coordinates seller settlement after that point.

The seller dashboard shows where each submission stands, including review, scheduling, live auction status, and payout timing.

It gives sellers a cleaner view of where their piece stands after submission.

Presentation matters.

Accepted submissions are prepared into full auction listings by our team. We organize images, refine descriptions, write supporting context, and structure the listing to clearly communicate the piece to buyers.

This process helps ensure consistency, transparency, and stronger auction performance. Final listing approval remains with the seller before publication.

Reserve prices remain private. If a requested reserve appears unrealistic relative to the piece and current market conditions, we may ask that it be lowered before acceptance. Once approved, a reserve may also be lowered, but not raised, while the listing is active.

Not every accepted listing will necessarily include a reserve.

Possibly, though not every unsold piece will be relisted. Fresh-to-market listings typically perform best.

If a relist is considered, we may recommend updated photography, different positioning, or a revised reserve strategy.

Sellers pay no listing fee. A 5% buyer's fee applies to all winning bids, with a $25 minimum. This fee is charged at auction close and is non-refundable.

Card payments include a 3% processing fee, shown as a separate line item at checkout. To avoid this fee, winning buyers may complete payment by bank transfer, ACH, wire, or Zelle — all accepted at no additional charge.

A valid card is required on file to place bids. Shipping is confirmed separately before the final charge.

A temporary card authorization may be placed during bidding to support serious participation and reduce non-performing bidders.

This authorization is not a charge. If you do not win, no buyer's fee is collected.

If you win, a 5% buyer's fee is charged at auction close using your verified payment method.

If you win, you may see up to three entries: (1) a temporary card authorization placed during bidding — this is not a charge and will clear from your statement in accordance with your bank's processing timelines, (2) the 5% buyer's fee collected at auction close, and (3) the final invoice payment for the remaining balance once shipping is confirmed.

The buyer's fee and final invoice payment are real charges. The temporary authorization is not.

The buyer's fee is non-refundable under standard circumstances.

Refunds are only considered in limited cases such as:

• Verified material misrepresentation
• Confirmed shipping damage
• Non-delivery

All claims require documentation and are subject to review.

The transaction is considered complete after delivery is confirmed and the buyer's 72-hour inspection period has passed, or sooner if the buyer confirms everything arrived as described. The Glass Exchange team coordinates the seller settlement after the transaction is complete.

This structure keeps the process fair, protects both sides, and gives everyone a clear post-sale timeline.

A 5% buyer's fee applies to all winning bids, with a $25 minimum. This fee is charged at auction close and is non-refundable.

It is a platform fee retained by The Glass Exchange and does not reduce the amount owed to the seller.

The remaining balance — including the final sale price, shipping, and insurance — is invoiced separately once shipping details are confirmed.

The 5% buyer's fee is collected immediately when an auction closes and you are the winning bidder.

The buyer's fee is non-refundable under standard circumstances.

Refunds are only considered in limited cases such as:

• Verified material misrepresentation
• Confirmed shipping damage
• Non-delivery

All claims require documentation and are subject to review.

No. The buyer's fee is a platform fee collected at auction close. It is separate from the purchase amount and does not offset the balance owed to the seller.

Winning bids are binding. Failure to complete your purchase may result in forfeiture of the buyer's fee, account suspension, and restriction from future bidding.

The buyer's fee is charged to the card used to set up your bidder authorization at the start of the auction. This is the same card that held the temporary authorization during live bidding.

If you would like to complete the remaining balance by bank transfer, ACH, wire, or Zelle — which carries no processing fee — you may do so when your invoice arrives. The buyer's fee itself is always charged to the card on file at close.

By placing a bid, you are acknowledging that you have reviewed the listing and understand that winning results in a binding obligation, including the 5% buyer's fee collected at close. This consent is recorded at the time of card authorization.

If you believe the buyer's fee was charged in error, contact us at hello@theglassexchange.com. We retain complete records of all bid activity, card authorizations, and auction timestamps to resolve any questions.

For shipped pieces, the buyer has 72 hours after confirmed delivery to inspect the piece and raise any issues. This gives buyers a clear window to confirm everything arrived as described, while keeping payout timing predictable for the seller.

For local in-person exchanges, both parties are encouraged to verify the piece, packaging, accessories, and overall transaction details at the time of exchange. Once both sides complete the handoff and any payment arrangement, the exchange is the moment of completion for that transaction.

Yes, if both parties agree. This often makes sense for high-value pieces, collections, or local transactions where a direct handoff is preferred.

Yes. Buyer and seller may mutually agree to complete a local in-person handoff after auction close.

Both parties are encouraged to verify the piece, packaging, accessories, and transaction details at the time of exchange. Once both sides complete the handoff and any payment arrangement, the exchange is the moment of completion for that transaction. Timestamped photos or a brief written acknowledgment are strongly encouraged for higher-value pieces.

Yes — strongly. Before shipment, sellers are encouraged to record a detailed boxing and packaging video documenting the preparation process from start to finish — piece condition, cushioning, wrapping, double-boxing, sealing, label attachment, and final exterior package. A single continuous handheld recording is generally sufficient.

Sellers may upload packaging videos, packaging photos, label photos, and carrier dropoff documentation through the Shipping Evidence section of the seller dashboard. While not always required, thorough shipment documentation is strongly encouraged for high-value or difficult-to-replace pieces — it can help reduce disputes, clarify shipment condition prior to carrier acceptance, and provide additional peace of mind for both parties.

Sellers are encouraged to retain all packaging documentation, shipping receipts, tracking information, and related materials until the transaction is fully completed.

To protect both buyers and sellers, The Glass Exchange uses a verified unboxing standard for shipped items. If an issue arises with your delivery, a properly recorded unboxing video serves as the primary evidence to support a claim. This helps disputes be resolved quickly, fairly, and based on clear documentation.

You are not required to submit an unboxing video unless a dispute is opened, but recording one is strongly recommended for your protection.

No. You only need to provide the video if a dispute is opened. We recommend recording one for every shipped purchase so you are protected if an issue occurs.

A proper unboxing video is one continuous recording with no edits, cuts, or pauses. Specifically:

• Begin recording before the package is opened, with all seals fully intact.
• Clearly show all sides of the package, including labels, tape, and overall condition.
• Keep the package fully visible in frame at all times.
• Lift and rotate the box to show the top and bottom.
• Show all sealing tape close to the camera before opening.
• Open the package on camera with no cuts, edits, or pauses.
• Remove and unwrap all contents within the same continuous recording.
• Show the entire interior of the box once emptied.
• Open and display any Pelican cases, foam inserts, tubes, or protective cases on camera.
• Include audio and preserve the original video file with timestamp/metadata when possible.
• Carefully inspect the item during the video for damage or condition discrepancies.

Recording tips: use a tripod, stable surface, or have another person record. Keep the entire package and item visible. Avoid handheld filming when possible. Do not stop, cut, or edit the video.

Open a dispute from the transaction page and describe the issue. If the video file is too large, upload it to Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, or another secure file-sharing service and provide the link with your username and listing title.

The Glass Exchange may be unable to verify the condition of the item at delivery, and the claim may be ineligible for resolution. The video helps show that the item arrived damaged or not as described, rather than being damaged after receipt.

If the item arrives safely, no video is needed. If the item arrives damaged or not as described, the absence of a proper unboxing video may limit buyer protection. If the item is lost in transit, an unboxing video is not required.

• Unboxing documentation is only required if a dispute is submitted.
• Claims without sufficient documentation may be ineligible for resolution.
• If the item arrives safely and as described, no action is required.
• If a package is lost in transit, an unboxing video is not required.
• Items reported as damaged after the unboxing process is completed may not qualify for buyer protection.

When a submission is approved, The Glass Exchange assigns one of four shipping guidance levels based on the piece's value, fragility, form complexity, and overall delivery risk. The level drives the intensity of our recommendations — packaging, documentation, signature confirmation, third-party shipment protection, and any white-glove coordination.

• Level 1 · Standard — Recommended Shipping Standards apply.
• Level 2 · High-Value Recommended — Emphasized standards plus optional third-party shipment protection.
• Level 3 · Third-Party Shipment Protection Required — Third-party shipment protection expected for this value tier.
• Level 4 · White Glove / Concierge Logistics — Private courier coordination, in-person exchange, event/show handoff, or custom arrangements may be coordinated upon request.

Your assigned level is included in your approval confirmation.

Yes. The guidance level is based on value and risk. We may suggest a higher level based on fragility, form complexity, no hard case, shipping distance, or other elevated delivery risk — regardless of listed price.

If we recommend a higher level for your piece, we'll explain why in your approval.

It depends on the assigned shipping guidance level. For most listings (Level 1 — Standard and Level 2 — High-Value Recommended), third-party shipment protection is optional. Some collectors choose to purchase it for additional peace of mind on high-value or fragile pieces.

For Level 3 — Third-Party Shipment Protection Required, third-party shipment protection is expected for the piece before shipment. Sellers retain discretion over which provider and policy. Level 4 — White Glove / Concierge Logistics may involve custom logistics arrangements coordinated upon request.

Coverage availability, limits, exclusions, and claim eligibility vary by provider, carrier, packaging method, shipment value, and destination.

For certain transactions — particularly exceptionally valuable pieces, extremely fragile work, or collections — buyer and seller may agree on an in-person exchange as an alternative to carrier shipment. The Glass Exchange can assist with introductions and coordination upon request.

For local exchanges, both parties are encouraged to verify the piece, packaging, accessories, and overall transaction details at the time of exchange. Once both sides complete the handoff and any payment arrangement, the exchange is the moment of completion. Timestamped photos or a brief written acknowledgment are strongly encouraged for higher-value transactions.

If your piece is suited to an in-person exchange or white glove delivery, this can be noted in your approval confirmation.

Recommended Shipping Standards exist to protect both parties. Sellers who follow them — double-boxed packaging, boxing video documentation, adult signature confirmation, tracking — are in a significantly stronger position if a carrier incident occurs and a dispute is opened.

If damage occurs and the seller cannot demonstrate that reasonable packaging and documentation standards were followed, the dispute outcome is likely to be unfavorable to the seller.

Some collectors choose to purchase optional third-party shipment protection for high-value, fragile, or difficult-to-replace pieces.

See optional shipment protection resources →

We strongly recommend retaining boxing videos, tracking information, shipping receipts, and all packaging materials until the transaction is fully completed.

For exceptionally valuable or historically significant pieces, private courier coordination or in-person handoff arrangements may sometimes be preferred. White glove delivery is not required and is available upon request for select transactions.

Boxing videos help document item condition, packaging quality, sealing process, and shipment preparation before carrier acceptance.

No. The optional shipment protection resources listed on the Shipping, Learn, and Seller Tips pages are for reference only. Sellers are free to use whichever provider — or carrier-issued coverage — best fits the shipment. The Glass Exchange has no partnership with any third-party shipment protection provider. Coverage availability, exclusions, limits, and claim eligibility vary by provider, carrier, packaging method, shipment value, and destination.

If a buyer believes the piece did not arrive as described, they must submit a dispute through the transaction page within 72 hours of confirmed delivery. The Glass Exchange reviews both parties' statements, the original listing description, condition notes, and any available documentation including packaging photos or video.

During active dispute review, the review clock is paused and seller settlement is held pending resolution. We aim to respond to all disputes within 24—48 hours of submission.

All dispute decisions made by The Glass Exchange are final.

Valid disputes include: the piece arriving materially different from the listing description, undisclosed damage not present at the time of listing, missing accessories or items confirmed as included in the listing, or a piece that is not the one described in the listing.

The following do not qualify as valid disputes: buyer's remorse or change of mind, minor variations in person vs. photography that do not contradict the written listing, or issues that were disclosed in the condition notes prior to bidding.

Bidders are expected to read the full listing, review all photos, and ask questions through the public comment thread before placing bids. Placing a bid is an acknowledgment that you have reviewed the available information.

If a dispute is resolved in the buyer's favor, options may include a negotiated partial refund, a full transaction reversal and return, or another mutually agreed resolution. The specific outcome depends on the nature and severity of the issue.

In the event of a return, the buyer is responsible for return shipping to the seller unless the listing contained material misrepresentation. The Glass Exchange facilitates the resolution but is not responsible for return shipping costs.

If a dispute is resolved in the seller's favor — typically because the claimed issue was disclosed in the listing or is not supported by evidence — the transaction closes normally and The Glass Exchange team coordinates the seller settlement.

The Glass Exchange is a marketplace platform. We curate listings, facilitate transactions, and mediate disputes, but we are not a party to the sale itself. We do not take possession of pieces, guarantee their condition beyond what is stated in the listing, or assume responsibility for carrier damage, theft, or loss in transit.

Sellers are responsible for accurate disclosure, appropriate packaging, full insurance, and fulfillment of the transaction as listed. Buyers are responsible for reviewing all available listing information before bidding, understanding that all bids are binding, and completing payment if they are the winning bidder.

The Glass Exchange is not liable for losses arising from shipping damage, delivery failures, carrier errors, buyer non-payment, or fraud not detectable through our standard review process.

By submitting a piece or placing a bid, all parties agree to these terms and to the binding nature of The Glass Exchange's dispute resolution decisions.

Shipping damage is the seller's responsibility to prevent through appropriate packaging and the buyer's responsibility to document upon arrival. If a piece arrives damaged, the buyer should photograph the damage, the packaging, and the condition of the box before moving or unpacking further, then submit a dispute immediately.

If the piece was shipped with carrier coverage or optional third-party shipment protection, the seller should file a claim with the relevant provider using their packaging documentation. A successful coverage claim does not automatically constitute a dispute resolution — the transaction resolution is handled separately through The Glass Exchange process.

Sellers who under-package, under-insure, or fail to document their packaging process accept the risk of an unfavorable dispute outcome in the event of damage.

Bids are binding. The 5% buyer's fee is collected at close and is not refunded regardless of whether the remaining balance is paid. A bidder who wins and fails to complete the final payment may have their member account suspended and may be blocked from future participation on the platform.

The seller will be contacted about next steps, which may include re-listing or alternative resolution depending on circumstances. The Glass Exchange will take reasonable steps to address non-payment but cannot guarantee full collection of the remaining balance.

We are looking for artist-made functional glass that is appropriate for a serious collector marketplace. This means verifiable artist identity, honest and accurate condition representation, photography that supports confident bidding, and a reserve expectation aligned with current market conditions.

We consider both new and pre-owned pieces. Age and use are not disqualifying. A well-documented, honestly-disclosed pre-owned piece can perform as well or better than a new piece if the authorship and condition story are clear.

Common reasons for declining a submission include: photography that does not meet our standard, condition issues that were undisclosed in the submission or that cannot be adequately documented, a reserve set materially above current market value, unverifiable artist claims, or pieces that do not fit the collector audience of the platform.

We also decline pieces that are mass-produced, unbranded, or lack meaningful ownership history or artistic authorship. Our focus is on artist-made work with real collector-market identity.

Declining a submission is not a statement about the quality of the piece — it is sometimes a statement about fit, timing, or documentation. If your submission is declined, we will give you the primary reason and, where appropriate, suggestions for resubmission.

We evaluate reserve requests against current secondary market activity for the artist, the specific form and condition of the piece, and comparable recent sales where available. We use our knowledge of the collector market to form an honest view of where a piece is likely to close.

If we believe a reserve is too high, we will tell you and explain our reasoning. We will not list a piece at a reserve we believe makes it unlikely to sell — this is not good for the platform, the buyer community, or ultimately the seller.

Sellers retain the right to decline our feedback and withdraw their submission. We retain the right to decline to list a piece if we cannot agree on a realistic reserve.

No Reserve listings receive a 10-day featured auction window and guaranteed Sunday close — built to maximize exposure, watcher count, and bidder confidence. The piece sells to the highest bidder once bidding opens.

The 10-day window auto-snaps to a Sunday evening close. During the first 72 hours after the auction opens (Days 1—3), bidders with a verified card on file can place bids immediately with no authorization hold. Beginning on Day 4, the regular bid-authorization hold (5% of first bid, $25 minimum) is required for every new bid or proxy increase — exactly the same as any standard auction.

The 10-day option is reserved for No Reserve listings only — standard reserve listings continue to run on 3-, 5-, or 7-day windows with the regular hold flow from the first bid.

We do not require formal artist verification for every piece, but we do require that authorship claims be supportable. A signed piece, a social media reference, a receipt, or documented ownership history are all examples of supporting evidence.

If the artist cannot be verified to our satisfaction, we'll either list the piece without a specific artist credit or decline the submission. We won't attribute a piece to a specific artist based only on the seller's recollection.

Transaction Support steps in when a listing closes below the seller's minimum price (reserve). Rather than letting a near-miss auction go cold, The Glass Exchange contacts both the seller and the highest bidder privately to explore whether a deal can be reached at a number both parties are comfortable with.

There is no obligation on either side. The seller can decline. The bidder can decline. But in many cases, a brief conversation gets the deal done when the auction could not.

If a listing closes without meeting its reserve, we may reach out to the top bidder to confirm continued interest and ask whether they are willing to adjust their offer. Separately, we contact the seller with the high bidder's position and facilitate a private negotiation.

If both sides agree, the transaction moves through the normal payment and delivery flow. There's no extra fee for deals closed this way.

Transaction Support is available on any reserve listing that closes without a sale. We look at each situation individually and reach out where a deal seems achievable. No-reserve listings don't need this — there's no minimum to miss.

Neither the seller nor the buyer is obligated to participate. The conversation only moves forward if both sides want it to.

Nothing additional. If a deal is reached through Transaction Support, the standard buyer's fee applies to the final agreed price, exactly as it would for a standard auction close. There is no Transaction Support surcharge for either the buyer or the seller.

The Verified Seller badge appears on listings and seller profiles where The Glass Exchange has completed an elevated review of the seller's identity, history, and prior transactions. It signals to buyers that the seller has been reviewed beyond standard submission standards.

Verified Seller status is initially granted by The Glass Exchange through manual review. Over time, sellers who accumulate a strong transaction record on the platform may qualify automatically. The badge is visible on listing cards, the listing detail page, and the seller's profile.

For new sellers, Verified status is granted by The Glass Exchange following manual review. If you are a known collector, established artist, or gallery with verifiable history, contact us directly and we will review your account for early verification.

For existing sellers, Verified status becomes available automatically after a qualifying number of completed transactions with no unresolved disputes on the platform.

The best way to reach us is by email at hello@theglassexchange.com, or through the contact form at theglassexchange.com/contact.

We respond to every message. For active transaction issues, we aim to reply within a few hours. For general inquiries, expect a response within one business day.

If your question relates to a specific listing or transaction, include the listing title or transaction ID. If you have a member account, include your display name. If the issue involves condition, damage, or a dispute, photos are helpful.

The more context you include upfront, the faster we can help.

Not at this time. Email is our primary support channel and allows us to keep a clear record of every conversation for both parties. Reach us at hello@theglassexchange.com.

Yes. If you have questions about whether a piece is a good fit, want to discuss a reserve before submitting, or have a unique situation, feel free to reach out before going through the full submission form. We're happy to have a preliminary conversation.