I was just using my candy thermometer a few minutes ago and the darn thing melted! At 250 degrees my glass thermometer melted...I couldn't believe it. This has never happened to me before, has this ever happened to anyone else?
oh no! 
i don't use mine very often, and never over 160. now im a little scared to ever do anything at a higher temp...
I have been making candy for about 20 years now, I am positive it was a candy thermometer, and also positive it was glass. I know it sounds strange, I was baffled as well. Maybe there was some sort of defect or something with it as I have only had that one about a month and rarely used it. I don't know. But I am 100% positive it was glass and a candy thermometer.
Candy thermometers are meant to withstand high temperatures for melted sugar, well over 250. If it melted, it couldn't have been glass.
The best candy thermometers are in a metal shield that can rest on the bottom of the pan and the bulb won't touch the metal pan.
I never had one to melt but I did have one break in the middle of the last batch of candy I was doing for Christmas. 
It scared my DH & I half to death!!! Mine may have been because I had used it a LOT in just a few hours making loads of candy. 
That's really scary! I would definitely take it back. If they will only give you a replacement or a store credit, put a few dollars more with it and buy the best one they have to offer. 
That was another problem with mine - it was a cheapie. 
HTH
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