Why is glass so friggin expensive?!

[mimosatexas]

This has little to do with screenprinting, but I feel like y'all are pretty good about sourcing this kind of stuff...

 I'm trying to find a replacement shelf for a display unit, 3/16 tempered glass that is 12x48.  I can find them all over online for $12 bucks or so, but I'm a little weary of shipping it instead of picking it up locally.  Called all the local glass guys and the cheapest place is at $65 for the same piece of glass...

Any ideas on where to get this, or a replacement product that would work?

[Itsa Little CrOoked]

It's the polished edges that get you. I just called a local cutter here in Wichita I use and he was 61.06 for for your piece with polished edges and 21.88 for clean cut edges.

I'm pretty sure the labor and time tying up a sander is what is costly. They are just like us!

(Hey, I need to call you in a little while about my vacuum platen project. I'm down to attaching the hose to the base and wanna pick your brain again.  Stan)

[T Shirt Farmer]

3/8th Low Lead Glass for the Amerigraph 150 was $186

[ebscreen]

Can't cut tempered!

I'd wager the closer you are to the "factory" the less expensive. Lotta spoilage
in the old glass game.

[mimosatexas]

tempered is pretty much a must for a shelf, right?

[mimosatexas]

Annoying that I can find this kind of price on literally every website, but nothing local...https://www.carolinaretail.com/s/GL1248

Any idea of a store that might carry something like that regularly?  Lowe's, bed bath and beyond, ikea? lol...