Martha's Vineyard Glassworks

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes Martha's Vineyard Glassworks' privacy practices with respect to information we collect about our customers and visitors who (1) shop in our gallery or purchase products through our web site or (2) register on our web site to receive promotional information.

Commitment to Privacy
Martha's Vineyard Glassworks knows that you care about how your information is used and shared. We respect your right to privacy. Your ability to make informed choices about the use of your information is important to us. We want to make sure that you understand the type of information we collect about you, how it is used and the safeguards that we have in place in order to protect it. This Privacy Policy explains our policy regarding the collection, use, disclosure and protection of personal information.

The Information We Collect
Martha's Vineyard Glassworks collects the personally identifiable information (such as your name, customer number, address, e-mail address, telephone number, driver's license number and, if you pay by credit card, your account information) that you provide us with when you:

- Purchase, order a product, or request a quote at Martha's Vineyard Glassworks
- Make a purchase or request our email newsletter through our web site www.mvglassworks.com (the "Site")
- Participate in surveys or contests (information we collect may include demographic information, such as age, gender and number of household members)
- Communicate with us for any reason, such as replying to inquiries by mail or through our Site, by telephone, through an employee at our gallery.

You may choose not to provide certain information; however, you might then be unable to take advantage of many of the opportunities offered by Martha's Vineyard Glassworks, including loyalty discounts and certain online features offered on our Site.

Our use of Cookies
"Cookies" are small pieces of information, sent by a web site, that are stored on your computer's hard drive by your web browser. Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site uses what are called sessions, similar to cookies, except that a session is a cookie that lasts until the an online order is completed, a customer closes their browser screen, or after a time period for session expiration. All personal information except for the credit card number is stored in a session and if personal information is edited credit card information will have to be reentered for further security. Once the order is fulfilled, the session is destroyed and is kept encrypted using a Secure Socket Layer ("SSL").

Martha's Vineyard Glassworks currently contracts with online partners to help manage and optimize our Internet business and communications. For example, we use the services of a marketing company to help us measure the effectiveness of our advertising and how visitors use the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site. To do this, we use web beacons and cookies on the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site provided by our marketing company. The type of information we collect is non-personally identifiable information regarding how visitors navigate the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site and what visitors browse and purchase on the Site. By supplementing our records, this information helps us learn things, such as what pages are most attractive to our visitors, which of our products most interest our customers. Although our marketing company logs the information coming from Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site on our behalf, we control how that data may and may not be used. These online partners are not permitted to use this information for any purpose other than to provide this service to Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site and these third parties are required to keep the information confidential.

How We Use Your Information
The personal information Martha's Vineyard Glassworks collects is generally used to process your requests and transactions, to provide you with high-quality service, to tell you about opportunities we think will be of interest to you, to customize your experience on our the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site and to understand your needs so that we may provide you with the most suitable products and services. For example, we may use your postal address, e-mail address and/or telephone number to help us:

- Provide customer support
- Communicate promotional opportunities
- Advise you about Martha's Vineyard Glassworks products and services
- Process and fulfill your order and notify you of your order status
- Solicit your feedback about Martha's Vineyard Glassworks products and services
- Provide you with promotional information, such as coupons, and promotions.
- Notify contest winners and award prizes

The purchase history that we collect is generally used to assist Martha's Vineyard Glassworks in selecting and offering products and services to customers which best suit their needs and to keep track of eligible purchases loyalty discounts and any other incentive programs. The non-personally identifiable information that we automatically collect is utilized in the aggregate to help us look for trends so that we can improve the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks shopping experience for you and our other customers.

Do We Share Your Information With Third Parties?
Martha's Vineyard Glassworks does not sell or rent your personally identifiable information to third parties. Under certain circumstances and from time to time, Martha's Vineyard Glassworks may share your personally identifiable information with third parties as set forth below. In such circumstances, we provide only the information necessary to perform the function or to provide the service for which it has been shared. These third parties are not permitted to use the personal information provided by us for any purposes other than those authorized by Martha's Vineyard Glassworks and these third parties are required to keep the information confidential.
Martha's Vineyard Glassworks may share your personally identifiable information with trusted service providers who provide operational or other support services to our customers or who perform certain functions on our behalf. Examples include providers who distribute e-mails, process shipping, and conduct research or provide other marketing assistance.

Martha's Vineyard Glassworks may share your personally identifiable information if Martha's Vineyard Glassworks believes in good faith that such disclosure is: a) authorized by law or necessary to comply with a legal process; b) in response to legal claims; c) to respond to customer inquiries originating with the account's Primary customer; d) necessary to protect personal safety, property or other rights of Martha's Vineyard Glassworks and its customers or employees or e) an integral part of a sale of all or part of our business.

Choices You Have Regarding the Use of My Personal Information
Martha's Vineyard Glassworks wants to communicate with you only if you want to hear from us. We give you the opportunity to opt-out of receiving Promotional Material from Martha's Vineyard Glassworks. Your choice to opt-out will apply only to all customers sharing the same customer number.

Also, your opt-out choice will not apply to the sharing of information with our service providers when you have given your personally identifiable information to us related to your purchase, processing of orders or other specific purposes.
If you do not want to receive Promotional Material from us please email us at info@mvglassworks.com, call us at 508.693.6026, or follow the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our email newsletter.

Is Your Information Secure?
Martha's Vineyard Glassworks is committed to maintaining the security of information under our control. To try to prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy and ensure correct use of information, we have put in place industry-standard physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect.

Any information collected on the Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Site is located on a secure server located behind a firewall and is not directly connected to the Internet. Martha's Vineyard Glassworks employs Secure Socket Layer ("SSL") software and password protection procedures to safeguard personal information collected.

Notification of Changes to this Privacy Statement
Martha's Vineyard Glassworks reserves the right to change this Privacy Statement at any time. However, we will alert you that changes have been made by indicating at the top of the Privacy Statement the date it was last updated. If we ever make a material change to how we use the information you provide and the new uses are unrelated to uses we disclose in this statement, we will communicate the changes in advance and provide you the opportunity to change your marketing preferences. We will use information in accordance with the privacy policy under which the information was collected.

Hand Blown Glass Will Vary

One of the most unique aspects of Martha's Vineyard Glassworks is that all of the work represented in our studio is handmade by artisans that have dedicated years, if not decades to the art of glassblowing. Each piece is individually hand blown, we do not use molds to standardize shapes, rather the consistency of our work has been developed through repetition, glassblowers working together, and a strict attention to detail. As a result no two handmade pieces are identical, the measurements given for all hand blow glass items are approximate and the sizes and colors will vary slightly. Download our Care Sheet (pdf)

Trying to Match an Old Set of Glasses?

Due to the handmade nature of our products the sizes often vary over the years. If you are trying to match a previously purchased set of glasses, please include the dimensions (height and diameter at the top and bottom of the glass, if different), in the notes section of the checkout. We will make our best attempt to match your existing set. This is a courtesy we offer and we cannot guarantee that they will exactly match the glasses you already own.

Shipping Policy

For orders within the continental United States, we ship Ground and Express via UPS or FedEx to street addresses only. We cannot ship to Post Office Boxes. To inquire about shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally, please call +1 (508) 693-6026 or email us at info@mvglassworks.com with the delivery address and item/s of interest, to receive a quote.

Most orders are processed and shipped within three business days of their receipt. Keep in mind that we cannot ship on weekends or holidays. All orders that are placed on Friday after 12 noon will not be shipped until Monday of the following week. Ground delivery should arrive within 7-10 business days, depending on your location. For orders within the continental United States, we offer Ground, Overnight, Second Day, and Three Day delivery options. Please keep in mind that all express shipments will be go out the business day after the order is placed. If delivery is urgent please call the gallery at +1 (508) 693-6026.

Ground: Delivery time of 1 to 5 business days varying depending on location of delivery. All items are shipped form MA. Delivery date is not guaranteed, but approximate.
3 Day: Delivery time of 3 business days by 4:30pm to most areas. Delivery date guaranteed.
2 Day: Delivery time 2 business days by 4:30pm to most areas. Delivery date guaranteed.
Overnight: Standard Overnight, delivery time next business day by 3pm in most areas. Delivery date guaranteed.

Shipping Insurance & Breakage Claims:
We do everything we can to ensure your package arrives safely, our shipping facility and methods have been inspected by FedEx Packaging Specialists, and we are proud of our low breakage rates. This requires great care in packing, extra packing materials, and limiting the number of items in one box to ensure safe delivery. We expect careful handling by the carrier while the package is en-route to you, however sometimes damage does occur. If your package arrives damaged, please keep the original packaging material and notify us within 10 business days or receipt of the package by phone at +1 (508) 693-6026 or email us at info@mvglassworks.com. We will replace all broken items at no cost to you if reported within 10 business days.

Return Policy

Your satisfaction is important to Martha's Vineyard Glassworks. Items in their original, sellable condition may be returned for refund, exchange, or store credit up to 30 days after the date of purchase with approval issued by our gallery. Please contact us by phone at 508.693.6026 or by email at gallery@mvglassworks.com with your name, date of purchase or invoice number, items to be returned, and a brief explanation. You must include a return invoice with your return or exchange, this will be provided to you via email after return approval. Returns or exchanges are not accepted for items purchased on sale. We will pay return or exchange shipping costs only if an item is shipped and received defective or if the return is a result of our error. If your items are damaged in shipment, please contact us within 10 business days for a refund, exchange, or store credit.

If the item is returned for any other reason you are responsible for the return shipping costs including proper packaging and insurance, please see our Shipping Policy for more detail. No returns will be accepted after 30 days of purchase. Refunds will be issued by check within 14 days of receipt of return and inspection of the goods.

For questions regarding our Return Policy please contact us by phone at +1 (508) 693-6026 or email us at info@mvglassworks.com.

Frequently Asked Questions Can I use my Our Island Club Card at your Martha's Vineyard gallery?

Yes, we are an Our Island Club Card member business. If you are a member of the Our Island Club Card, show us your card and you will receive 20% off our company products (this excludes all other artists' products, second quality items, and any sale items). Call our gallery if you would like more detail about what products the card applies to.

Will I receive my loyalty discounts on online purchases?

Yes, if you have qualified to receive loyal customer discounts you will receive them on your online purchases. The discounts will not show on your order confirmation, but will be applied when we process the order and will be reflected on your final invoice.

Will the glasses sold online match in size to glasses I already own?

Due to the handmade nature of our products the sizes often vary over the years. If you are trying to match a previously purchased set of glasses, please include the dimensions (height and diameter at the top and bottom of the glass, if different), in the notes section of the checkout. We will make our best attempt at matching your existing set. This is a courtesy we offer and we cannot guarantee that they will exactly match the glasses you already own.

Can I shop securely through your online store?

Our website security features include SSL (secure socket layer) certificate, which encrypts your purchase information and protects you from hackers and thieves as it travels over the web, and a static IP address. Both of these features ensure secure communications between your browser and our web store. See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Will you sell my personal information?

Martha's Vineyard Glassworks has not and will not sell, rent or make available for use, your personal account information to a third party. We use the personal information you provide us to create an account, process and track your orders, and for relevant correspondence regarding your order. If you select to receive emails from us regarding our products, services and promotions, you will always have the opportunity to unsubscribe at check-out and at the bottom of each email you receive. See our Privacy Policy for more information.

What is your glass made of?

In its raw form our clear glass is called batch. Our batch contains silica, soda ash, and limestone, as well as a variety of other compounds, minerals, metalloids, and acids that effect the working consistency and overall look of the glass. All of our glass is lead-free and safe for everyday use.

Is hand blown glass dishwasher safe?

No, our glass is a soft Soda Lime glass and may crack under extreme changes in temperature. We do not guarantee that our glass is dishwasher safe. Download our care sheet.

How do I care for hand blown glass?

Our hand blown glass is a soft Soda Lime glass - improper cleaning may crack or cause surface abrasions. Always hand-wash your piece in warm, soapy water, and dry with a soft, clean towel or rag. We do not guarantee that our glass is dishwasher safe. Never put hand blown glass in a microwave. Extreme changes in temperature may cause glass
to crack - never place hand blown glass in the refrigerator or freezer to chill. Do not pour hot liquids into any glass.

If the piece you own has an unpolished or frosted exterior, it has gone through a secondary process called "sandblasting." For best results, you can clean your frosted piece by using Martha's Vineyard Glassworks Cleaning Oil. Do not use water or glass cleaner on frosted work, as it could dull the intended surface quality. Always handle glass with care. Remove any jewelry that may come in contact with the glass: rings, zippers, or buttons on clothing can cause unintentional breakage, and can scratch glass surfaces. Also, it is important to hold glass with both hands, being especially careful with items with handles, like pitchers.

Does your work ever go on sale?

We do not have sales on our first quality items. We do offer loyal customer discounts, for more information see "What about my Loyalty Discounts?". Once a year we do have a sale of our second quality glass in our gallery on Martha's Vineyard. It begins the Friday after Thanksgiving and continues through the month of December. Returns and exchanges are not accepted for items purchased on sale. We cannot take online or phone orders for seconds.

Do you offer any repeat customer discounts?

Yes, we offer discounts as a thank you to our most loyal customers. Starting for purchases in 2008, if a customer of our studio spends $1000 or more they become a Fan of MVG, receiving a 5% discount on all future purchases. Customers that reach spending of $5000 or more become a Loyal Customer of MVG and receive a 10% discount on all future purchases. When you buy something in our gallery, please provide us with your name and any contact information that you wish to share, so we can keep track of your purchases!

We are also an Our Island Club Card member business. If you are a member of the Our Island Club Card show us your card and you will receive 20% off our company product (this excludes all other artists' products). Call our gallery if you would like more detail about what

Can I make multiple purchases and ship them to different addresses?

If you would like to ship multiple pieces to different addresses you must checkout separately for each gift you would like to send. This allows us to include gift notes, gift receipts, and a Hand-Tied Bow, if desired, for each gift making them even more special!

How do I return or exchange an item?

Your satisfaction is important to Martha's Vineyard Glassworks. If you have an item that you would like to return or exchange please contact our gallery at 508.693.6026 or email us at returns@mvglassworks.com to receive a return approval number and detailed shipping instructions. See our Return Policy.

I own an item that I do not see featured on your web site - do you still make it?

If you cannot find a piece that you own on our website it is either currently out of stock, a seasonal item, or discontinued. You are welcome to contact us at the gallery by phone at 508.693.6026 or by email at gallery@mvglassworks.com for more details on a particular piece. If you are interested in being updated about a piece that you do not see on our website, please include contact information with your inquiry and we can notify you when it comes into production again.

What forms of payment does your online store accept?

We accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

What if I have questions, concerns, suggestions or complaints?

Martha's Vineyard Glassworks appreciates and values all questions, concerns, and suggestions you may have. Please contact us by phone at 508.693.6026 or by email at info@mvglassworks.com to share your thoughts with us.

How do I remove myself from your mailing lists?

Martha's Vineyard Glassworks wants to communicate with you only if you want to hear from us. If you prefer not to receive our email newsletter, either contact us by phone at 508.693.6026 or by email at info@mvglassworks.com. You may also use the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our email newsletter and your email address will be removed promptly. If you wish to remove your mailing address as well, please contact us directly. Please note that when you make a purchase, we will send you emails confirming your order and its shipment. We may also need to contact you via phone or email, if we have questions regarding your order.

What if I need an item arrive on or before a certain date, for a birthday or holiday?

We cannot guarantee delivery on or before a certain date for ground shipments, but if the order is placed for an in stock item it expected delivery should be within 7-10 business days. If you need to ensure a specific delivery date you must select to ship FedEx Express Saver, Second Day, or Standard Overnight. All next day orders placed between noon Friday and 8:00am Monday, will not ship until Monday afternoon and will arrive Tuesday.

Do you gift-wrap?

All of our standard-size work is packaged in a white gift box, sealed with a silver sticker and includes an enveloped artist biography and care sheet. On occasion, a piece may be too large or very delicate and must be packaged in a brown box. If your purchase is shipping as a gift, for no additional charge, we will include a silver embossed gift card with a personalized hand written note - just be sure to follow the gift instructions during check out. Also, for an additional $2.00 fee you may add a Hand-Tied Bow.

What is the difference between your first and second quality glass?

Our hand blown glass is such that each item will have its own character and will contain minor variations and imperfections. All Martha's Vineyard Glassworks pieces must meet specific quality standards to be sold in the gallery or web store as a first quality item. Second quality items simply meet a more relaxed standard of quality. Seconds are not available for sale online or by phone. To buy a second quality item, please visit our store on Martha's Vineyard from the day after Thanksgiving through December.

I broke a piece that I bought from you, is it fixable?

Unfortunately, glass is a very unforgiving medium and if your glass piece has cracked, a handle has broken off, or chipped there is nothing we can do in repair. A glass repair specialist may be your only option, but in most cases it is more economical to simply buy a new piece. If you are interested in glass repair, we have found that the Corning Museum of Glass has a great resource, Conservation and Care of Glass Objects by Stephen P. Koob, which offers some methods of repair.

Can I place an order for a custom piece?

Currently, custom orders are only available for large-scale projects (examples: rondels for an architectural project, mass quantity products for corporate gifts, sconce covers for an entire house, etc.). We can only accommodate a few custom projects a year and only in the late Fall and Winter. These projects are approved on a case-by-case basis and must be quoted on a day rate for studio rental and labor. To inquire about a large project or corporate order please contact the gallery by phone at 508.693.6026 or by email at info@mvglassworks.com.

We cannot accommodate custom orders for individual pieces online. But, our stock is constantly updating. If you are interested in a piece but want a different color, join our monthly email newsletter, it will remind you to check back for the newly available pieces and color combinations!

Can we come to your studio and watch?

Yes, Martha's Vineyard Glassworks was built to offer an understanding of glassblowing to the public. We invite our customers to watch a work of art come to life - from the raw material and an artist's vision, to the final piece for your home. Our production floor is connected to the gallery with only feet between the viewer and glassblower, a unique environment for glassblowing education straight from the artists themselves. Please note that the glassblowers always take a lunch break between 12:00 noon and 1:00pm. Once a week our studio will melt glass, an entire day's process, so please call the gallery a few days before you plan on visiting so we can advise you of our production schedule. To learn more about our gallery and studio visit our About Us page.

Do you offer classes?

Martha's Vineyard Glassworks does not offer classes. Our studio is a fully functioning production facility in which we create beautiful high-quality glassware. But, please do stop by and watch us work - it is a learning experience in itself to see a piece of art come to life!

Can I apply for a job in your gallery or hot shop?

If you are interested in a job at Martha's Vineyard Glassworks please contact us by email at info@mvglassworks.com with your resume and position of interest, either gallery sales or glassblowing assistant. A member of our management will be in touch about job openings. Please note that our glassblowing positions require production floor experience and an on-sight interview and skill set examination.

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