Want to switch to a new broker

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: dr150

Originally posted by: manlymatt83

Originally posted by: dr150

Originally posted by: manlymatt83

Originally posted by: dr150
http://www.firstrade.com/publi...cing/brokercomparison/

Do you use them?

Yes. Been using them for 8 years. To this day, I can get a LIVE person to handle my needs after a couple of rings. Unprecedented. Never had a problem with them.

I also use Ameritrade to take advantage of an offer, but Firstrade's product/pricing is compelling over others (even Scottrade). They've gotten a lot of kudos in the press as being tops in recent years....

Any maintenance fees? How are money deposit times? Seems they hold deposits for a while.... They have an HTML trading interface?

The previous link I sent you shows they don't have maintenance fees.

Deposit times are good enough with me. Call them for more detailed info on this if you want the nitty gritty.

Demo the software:
http://www.firstrade.com/publi..._us/welcome/takeatour/

Have you ever bought a stock under $2? Do they really charge half cent?:

*For stocks at or under $2.00 and trades over 5,000 shares, add 1/2 cent per share for the entire order.

That's a logic flaw there. I can't tell if the AND means that both of those conditions have to be met, or that it applies to each individually.

 

[Stojakapimp]

I've heard good things about OptionsXpress (http://www.optionsxpress.com/) but I've never used em.

What kind of strategies do you use for buying options? I've recently gotten interesting in options trading but haven't done a whole lot of actual trading...just research

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
I've heard good things about OptionsXpress (http://www.optionsxpress.com/) but I've never used em.

What kind of strategies do you use for buying options? I've recently gotten interesting in options trading but haven't done a whole lot of actual trading...just research

lately, I've been buying a bunch of 2010/2011 calls just to cover my ass in case something jumps big. I've been doing some straddles and things like that, and doing well, though mostly buying puts to CMA in case of a meltdown.