Repair

 

What happens if I break my snow globe? Can it be fixed?

Accidents do happen, and glass is by its nature, very breakable. If you drop your globe, save all pieces except glass shards (discard broken glass carefully). We can often replace the glass, liquid and confetti or snow and rebuild the globe for a repair charge which will be quoted to you at that time. Please be aware, that due to the time and handwork involved, it may cost more to repair your snow globe than the original globe cost. 

However, we know many people have snow globes that are special to them for sentimental reasons, and if you choose Snow Globe Central for your repair, we will do our best to make your snow globe good as new again.

                 

 Broken glass snow globe Broken glass snow globe

                                                                             


We do not fix any type of light(s) or motor or anything controlled by battery or electrical plug. 

If the base breaks as well, contact us and we can quote a replacement cost from our current base designs.

Repair and Shipping and handling costs for repaired snow globe within the 48 Continental United States:

  • 1 3/4 inch snow globe: $40 repair PLUS $21.80 for handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost $61.80.
  • 2 1/2 inch snow globe: $55 repair PLUS $25.65 for handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost $80.65.
  • 3 1/4 inch snow globe: $65 repair cost PLUS $29.80 for handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total: $94.80.
  • 4 inch glass snow globe: $95 repair cost PLUS $35.90 handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost: $130.90.
  • 5 inch glass snow globe: $115 repair PLUS $43.75 handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost: $158.75.
  • 6 inch glass snow globe: $165 repair PLUS $51.50 handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost: $216.50.
  • Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is estimated at $98.40. Final cost will be determined by the size of shipping box.
  • Shipping to Canada is estimated at $96.60. Final cost will be determined by the size of shipping box.

We cannot repair snow globes larger than 6-inch diameter glass globe.

I broke a favorite snow globe - but it's not one made by Snow Globe Central. Will you still fix it for me?

Yes we can repair most broken snow globes. If you are not sure please send us a photo or call to discuss.

What do I need to do to have my broken snow globe repaired?

Place the broken snow globe in a plastic bag then pack it very carefully so that the resin insert is protected and does not move around in the shipping box. Use tissue or soft packing to protect the interior sculpture from additional breakage. Place any loose pieces in a sealed baggie with a note so they are not lost during shipping. A great way to pack a broken snow globe so that the resin insert is protected is to place a large plastic cup over the insert and tape the cup to the base. Then place the bag over the base and cup and pack securely in a shipping box. Put your name, phone number and email on a piece of paper inside the box. We will contact you with any questions about your damaged snow globe and determine a method of payment by phone. We will use the email you provide to update UPS shipping and tracking information to you when the repaired globe is returned.

Example of how to use a plastic cup or empty can to protect the interior sculpture when shipping a snow globe for repair.

Can you replace just the glass globe on a snow globe?

Before sending a broken snow globe to us for repair, please email us with as much information as possible on your damaged snow globe. We can repair many snow globes, depending on the size of glass globe that is needed. The diameter in the base opening is the primary measurement we will need. (This is the largest measurement straight across the circular opening in a globe base where the glass meets the base.) We can often replace the glass, liquid and replenish snow or sparkles that we show on our site as needed to rebuild a favorite globe.

On the base of your broken or cracked snow globe, measure the diameter of the circular opening where the snow globe fits into the base. The diameter is the largest line straight across from point a to point b.

Glass replacement globes for snow globes and water balls are most commonly available with diameters of:

  • 1 1/8 inch diameter base opening = 1 3/4" diameter glass globe
  • 1 3/4 inch diameter base opening = 2 1/2" diameter glass globe
  • 2 1/4 inch diameter base opening = 3 1/4" diameter glass globe
  • 2 3/4 inch diameter base opening = 4" diameter glass globe
  • 3 inch diameter base opening = 5" diameter glass globe
  • 4 inch diameter base opening = 6" diameter glass globe


If your base opening is one of those sizes, or just slightly larger, we should be able to replace the glass on a broken or damaged snow globe or water ball with a round sphere glass globe. If you need another size, let us know and we will tell you if that size is available.


4 Inch Broken Globe
An opening of 2.5-2.75 inches at the base (or close) is usually a 4 inch diameter glass globe.

5 Inch Broken Globe
An opening of 3.00 inches or close is usually a 5 inch diameter glass globe at the largest point across.

 

  • We can not fix mechanical parts or broken bases or attachments.
  • We cannot repair broken snow domes made of plastic.
  • We do not sell glass globes or repair kits.
  • We cannot create replacements for lost sculpture parts.

What is the repair charge?

An estimated repair charge will be quoted to you after we receive the information needed. Price range is typically:

  • 1 3/4 inch snow globe: $40 repair PLUS $21.80 for handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost $61.80.
  • 2 1/2 inch snow globe: $55 repair PLUS $25.65 for handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost $80.65.
  • 3 1/4 inch snow globe: $65 repair cost PLUS $29.80 for handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total: $94.80.
  • 4 inch glass snow globe: $95 repair cost PLUS $35.90 handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost: $130.90.
  • 5 inch glass snow globe: $115 repair PLUS $43.75 handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost: $158.75.
  • 6 inch glass snow globe: $165 repair PLUS $51.50 handling and shipping (UPS Ground). Total cost: $216.50.
  • Shipping to Alaska and Hawaii is estimated at $98.40. Final cost will be determined by the size of shipping box.
  • Shipping to Canada is estimated at $96.60. Final cost will be determined by the size of shipping box.

If you are NOT sure if your broken snow globe can be repaired please email or call first. We can often tell by your description of the globe and the damage, whether this is a snow globe we may be able to repair, or not. If you send a broken snow globe to us for repair, you will pay for shipping both ways - once to deliver the globe to Snow Globe Central and then to have it shipped back to you. Shipping charges are in addition to repair charges.

Email: info@snowglobecentral.com 
Phone: 303-294-9469

Where do I ship the snow globe?

Snow Globe Central
3904 Niagara St.
Denver, Colorado USA 80207

Identify your snow globe with your name and phone number.

What items are you unable to fix?

We are unable to fix the following types of globes : specialty glass shapes, domes, plastic domes, mechanical parts

We have replacement glass globes (spheres), but cannot replace dome shapes, lightbulb shapes, plastic domes, or any graphic shape such as a heart or teddy bear glass.

We do not touch or repair mechanical globes that turn, spin, move, blow snow bits or otherwise interact with the interior of the globe. We cannot fix music boxes. If you need a mechanical or musical globe fixed (other than replacement glass), you may need to find a repair shop that specializes in mechanical or musical repair.

International Shipping and Repair Charges

Please email us or call us with your location/destination information and we can advise you of the expected shipping charges for a finished globe. Remember, broken snow globes will weigh less than complete/repaired snow globes which are filled with liquid. A snow globe, the protective packing material and box may weigh more than four pounds, so for some people adding up the cost of shipping to Snow Globe Central for repair, the cost of repair and the return shipping cost may not be worth it for the repair. Typical UPS or FEDEX shipping charges are $365 for international shipping.

Other Shipping Conditions

Snow Globes which are shipped to us with no contact information in the box will be held for 30 days and then discarded. Please include contact information (email and telephone) in the shipping box so we can reach you if there are questions about your repair globe.

Snow Globes sent for repair must have contact information included in the box. Repair will not begin until we have contacted you and received a valid credit card number to proceed. If we cannot process payment or cannot reach you, we will hold your snow globe for 30 days and then discard if we do not get a response to our phone call and/or email attempts to contact you.

If you send a broken globe to us, and we cannot fix your broken globe, you must pay return shipping costs back to you. Please email or call first so we can discuss the repair with you before you incur shipping charges. 

Unfortunately, not all snow globes can be fixed, so please ask fist before sending to us.

Although a broken snow globe (without liquid) may be shipped to Snow Globe Central for repair by U.S. Mail, we cannot return it to you using the same method due to Postal Service regulation regarding against the shipment of liquid. We typically use UPS for shipping domestically, and may use UPS or FedEx internationally for return shipment of globes. This allows tracking of the globe as it is returned to you. 

Please note: The cost of shipping a liquid-filled snow globe internationally may cost more than the retail value of the globe.

Snow Globe Central is not responsible for losses or damage incurred in shipping. If you ship a globe that is damaged due to poor packing or unforeseen events, it will be your responsibility to work with the shipper for insurance value or compensation, etc. Should a returned/repaired globe arrive broken (to you), save all packing material and contact the shipper.