Return policy comparison · 2026
Bluemercury vs Cadence
Policy data verified July 21, 2026 by the Thrifle team
Winner
Bluemercury
A-
4.0 / 5.0 · Very Good
Cadence
C
1.9 / 5.0 · Mediocre
The verdict
Bluemercury has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against Cadence's C (1.9/5.0). It wins 3 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the restocking fee: no restocking fee versus restocking fee charged.
Score breakdown
Five axes, 5.0 points total — the same deterministic grader behind every Thrifle policy page.
BluemercuryCadence
Return window · worth 2.0
Restocking fee · worth 1.0
Return shipping · worth 1.0
Holiday window · worth 0.5
Transparency · worth 0.5
Key terms side-by-side
| Bluemercury | Cadence | |
|---|---|---|
| Return window | ✓ 90 days (original payment method; gift card only after 90 days) | 30 days from delivery to initiate (then 14 days to ship to carrier) |
| Free returns | ✓ Yes | No - restocking fee applies (amount not specified in FAQ) |
| Restocking fee | — | Domestic returns subject to a restocking fee, but the FAQ does not state the dollar amount or percentage |
| Return shipping | — | Original shipping costs non-refundable; international/FPO/APO/DPO orders are final sale and customer-paid if returned |
| Holiday extension | — | ✓ Orders placed roughly 11/25-12/15 get extended returns until roughly 1/15 (exact 2026 dates not yet published) |
| Non-returnable | — | Customized tiles, e-gift cards, hats, gift-with-purchase items, embroidered parcels, Mirage and Cobalt limited editions, all orders shipped outside the US/territories |
| Watch-out items | — | — |
Bluemercury tip
Exchanges can only be done in-store, not by mail, so mail-in returns are refund-only even if you wanted a swap; after 90 days a refund converts to store credit (gift card) instead of cash back to your card.
Frequently asked questions
Who has the better return policy, Bluemercury or Cadence?
Bluemercury has the more generous return policy in 2026, grading A- (4.0/5.0) against Cadence's C (1.9/5.0). It wins 3 of 5 scoring axes; the biggest gap is the restocking fee: no restocking fee versus restocking fee charged.
What is Bluemercury's return window?
Bluemercury's return window is 90 days (original payment method; gift card only after 90 days).
What is Cadence's return window?
Cadence's return window is 30 days from delivery to initiate (then 14 days to ship to carrier).
Does Bluemercury or Cadence offer free returns?
Bluemercury: Yes. Cadence: No - restocking fee applies (amount not specified in FAQ).