Looking to invest in stocks on my own, anyone have issues with Scott Trade or a better company?

[Kevin Palmer]

I have always used a third party company that gets their share of my money. I am looking to open an account I have decent control over as well as pay a reasonable fee for the various services.



Anyone know of issues with Scott Trade or have a better suggestion other than Scott Trade?



Thanks in advance...

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Scott Trade is fine. I've used eTrade numerous times.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Do you feel one is better than the other for one reason or another.



For now, I plan on playing with $500 to $800 dollars at a time.



Thanks...

 

[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

I thought eTrade's interface was easier to use.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Thanks, I'll make a note of that...



One thing that leaned me in the direction of Scott Trade is that there is a local office near my home. Would be nice to be able to speak to a person in the event i need/want to.

 

[Dale McMurry]

I have been with ETRADE for years. Like it.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I used ETrade...thought their rates were too high.



I am thinking of opening another account. It's between TD Ameritrade and Scott Trade, and for me, I will probably pick Scott Trade because of it's lower fees.



My needs are simple so I don't want to pay a lot.



TJR

 

[Kevin Palmer]

TJR, for now, mine are simple as well.



How did E-Trade charge too much? Are there hidden fees and things to that nature?

 

[Bob Alcaro]

Does eTrade or Scott have a minimum or max. amt. of trades per month (which then kicks in a higher per trade fee)?

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Good questions, don't know, but I am sure it is easy to find out if someone does not chime in...

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Coastie,



When I last used ETrade probably 5 or 6 years ago I think their costs per trade were around $19 each.



I wasn't doing trades on massive amounts, so the costs per trade were cutting into my profits (or lackthereof, ha) pretty heavily.



You said you might be investing as "little" as $500 at a time and when that is the case a $19 trade cost means you are already 3.8% in the hole. Compare that to Scott Trade of $7.50 per trade and you are only 1.5% in the hole.



TJR

 

[Kevin Palmer]

TJR, I understand and thanks for the info. I did see there figures, just wanted to make sure that there wasn't a hidden issue I was not seeing.



Thanks.,,,,,,

 

[Brad Bottoms]

Also take a look at Sharebuilder.com. They have $4 trades and no minimums.

 

[Dre L]

I'll vouch for Sharebuilder.

 

[Bryan Maclean]

Here is another option for those of you who may be considering long term purchases, especially if you are looking at companies that pay dividends. The companies pay most if not all of the fees.



www-us.computershare.com



WWW.melloninvestor.com

 

[kil roy]

scottrade user here

no limit, no max $7 per trade unless stock

is under $1 per share then there is a percentage fee.



only problem i ever had with them was when someone hacked in

to the system they used for electronic funds transfers and "possibly"

got some information which caused them to cancel all electronic funds transfers

for a few months and they recommended that we put a fraud alert on our credit

files via one of the big firms.



nothing ever came up on mine so i was lucky or the hackers never actually got

anyones information.



either way i still use them and if you use their java based real time monitor its

super easy to buy and sell.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Thanks Rich,



I appreciate the info...



Probably going that direction as there is no hidden stuff and I have a local office in the event I need to physically speak to someone..

 

[Glenn Brown]

Check out TD Ameritrade! I've been with them for a while and they have great service!