Buying stained glass on the internet can be economical and fun but make sure you have a few guidelines before you begin.

When buying stained glass on the internet there are several things you will want to know.  Glass can be heavy so the first thing you want to check on is the shipping weight and cost.  For instance, buying a crate of glass could cost well over a hundred dollars and must be shipped via freight carrier. 

If you are buying smaller amounts of glass always check on the weight and the packing fee.  If you live on the west coast shipping glass from the east cost can be more expensive and visa versa.  Research shipping companies for the best deal.

Something else you will want to be concerned about is packing.  Shipping glass is tricky!.  It simply can't be shoved into a box and shipped safely without the proper packing materials and lots of cushioning.  Otherwise, your glass will probably arrive broken or cracked.

(I will never forget the first time I purchased glass on the internet.  It was 8 pieces of 8X12 glass packed in a free priority mail box of 12x9x4 without the first piece of packing materials.  When the shipping carrier handed it to me glass shards were literally falling out of the box.  5 of the pieces were cracked in two, and 3 of them were clear which I didn't want.  I paid $33.00 for the glass, $28.00 for shipping and $8.75 for packing and handling charges!    Silly me!)

Even with the proper packing and cushioning - if a box of stained glass gets dropped from a truck onto a concrete drive or floor - it is a safe bet that at least some of the glass may get broken or cracked. A grain of sand under a piece of glass can crack it right in two. Glass is fragile which is why:

If you are not planning (a mosaic piece of artwork) to break the glass up anyway.....stained glass is to purchase shipping insurance.  If you decide to insure....What you need to remember when your package arrives is to open it immediately and check for breakage.  If you find breakage KEEP the box, BROKEN glass and PACKING materials to show to the shipping company you used. 

You can find some really great deals on stained glass on the internet.  Research your company and make sure you are buy from a reputable company with great feedback, and a company who sells mainly stained glass and stained glass supplies. 

Oh yes, and don't forget the most important part is to have fun!