I actively buy from both, as their stock is rather different at any given time. I prefer trying on scarves at Wall Street, however, because the lighting is much better and the SA I work with is a genius at color. I can't get that same eye at Madison. I tend to get things from Madison only when something I want arrives there first (there are times when patience is not my strength), particularly as my SA isn't a scarf expert.
I know Madison has more stock, but I would trek down to Wall Street without hesitation since I know the scarf I'll find will be the better choice.
This is so interesting. I defer to Arabesques' greater expertise but just to offer a different view: Some of this depends on your tolerance for crowds (on the one hand) and for a long subway or cab ride down to Wall Street (on the other). I always shop at the Madison store because I live near there and I have a great SA there, and I don't really find it that crowded; I generally go in and wait until she frees up, and I've never had to wait more than a few minutes. I am actually very impatient and never shop at department stores, but the busyness level of Madison doesn't faze me because the salespeople are so good and the crowds tend to be well-behaved -- and I can always spend the waiting time looking at pretty things. I think having the greater range of merchandise is a big plus. (Plus, Wall Street would be a 45-minute trek each way, so I'd lose all that time if I went down there.) Just a different perspective. At some point I'll have to make a pilgrimage to the WS store just to check it out!
On the lighting - again, depends on your tolerance. I agree that the light at Madison is pretty bad, but I have a really good sense of what colors suit me (and my SA at Madison is great with color) so it hasn't been a problem in terms of selecting scarves.
Thank you both very much, such helpful information. I'll be staying at the NoMad at Broadway and 28th, do I think either one is fair game commuting-wise, no? I'll be going for scarves and fragrance primarily. And didn't get the scarf in question on H.com because I really need to see them on me first, so the better lighting is very tempting. I'd go to both, but not sure I want to drag hubby to two. I think I'll check out what else is down by the Wall Street store as far as shopping. Madison we know well and had a day planned. WS could be a fun change!