Scottrade?

[Jelly]

Today's access problems notwithstanding, do those who use Scottrade like it? It's the top of my research heap. I like the tools.

And isn't E-trade in big trouble? Just the mortgage part?

[TonyM]

Yes, generally it works fine the majority of the time and I like the tools provided with the elite platform and the availability of a local rep by phone. However, had I had an open position that was going against me and reached my planned exit point, I obviously would not have been happy, no matter how many trouble free days preceded the problem.

I'd still like to test drive a few other platforms though, I may think s/t's platform is garbage compared to another broker's or may find it to be superior, gotta compare first hand to find out though.

[Jelly]

Costs a lot to test drive some of them unless you open an account.

My brokerage had a couple minute hic-cup last week just when I wanted to pull the trigger, so maybe absolute dependability isn't possible.

I didn't know there are exit fees with some companies. Looks like S-T can be used and left with none but self-inflicted pain.

[TonyM]

Well, that is what I may do; open an account and see how I like it. If there are any exit fees they are automatically out of the running. I've been able to pull every last penny out of S/T and have it in my bank account either the same day or the following day via wire transfer, I can also bring a cashiers check in the morning and be trading that money in the afternoon. They also offer a Visa card linked to your account and checks. The margin account also remains open even with a zero balance. Obviously anything less than that would not even warrant a test drive for me.

Now I sound like I'm hyping them, which is not my intention by a long shot after today's BS.

[Jelly]

It will be interesting to see if they post a reason. All of what you mention is important to me. I have a branch close by and the touchy-feely part of brick and mortar is satisfying. Not like a PBJ, of course.

[Rhoniel]

I have Scottrade account for over a year and one thing which bothers me more than anything else is absence of orders type generally referred as 'One cancels the other (OCO)' or "Threshold Triggered Order (TTO)'.

Does anyone know how to enter such an order with Scottrade?
Thanks.

[madcowdisease]

Still kicking butt according to JD Power. I read an article, can't remember where but it was back in July in a periodical, that ranked the brokers and ST came in #1 or 2 for the discount guys.

[rkahn]

Scottrade is a great company, great customer service, etc. I also like how their fees are so much cheaper than other brokers like Schwab and ETrade. The only thing that irks me is that their website does not work well with Mozilla Firefox. As a result, it often freezes which is obviously quite frustrating.

[johnnyLite]

The only thing that irks me is that their website does not work well with Mozilla Firefox. As a result, it often freezes which is obviously quite frustrating.

They still have not fixed it, I have the same issues, a year later. I have to remember to open IE to have S/T.

[netwrangler]

They still have not fixed it, I have the same issues, a year later. I have to remember to open IE to have S/T.Isn't there and IE simulation add-in for Foxfire? Seems like I saw a post about that.

Sorry for the vague reference.

[primer]

Odd, their web platform functions well for me on FF. Maybe it's because I'm on a mac. ;)

[Rich]

1. Local customer service on the phone is very good.

2. Don't like the idea that I can't trade small caps without a call into the office. Their argument: "its for our protection"

3. Not comfortable yet with all the Elite features,

4. Training videos aren't that good in quality, information and terrible announcers. The set looks like a corner of the room with a curtain stapled to the wall. Charts on videos are very lacking. This one thing for a novice may be enough to truck over to TDAmeritrade.

5. Least expensive for the features

6, Have never been disconnected

7. Wish I knew what Level 2 is. If one were to put music to it I swear we would be in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" where the square lights blink with musical notes!

[blaster]

My first post here guys. First of all congrats to the site Admins here for running a resourceful Forums.

I have been with ST for over a year now. I have just upgraded my account to Options trading. Never traded in options in my life. I am new to trading (1year) don't mind learning and sharing ideas and sharing knowledge.

I use ST Elite platform as well. I do like it and one can customize the hell outa every so called LAYOUT screens. Website does have issues with Firefox. All you have to do is use a plugin called IE TAB. This switches the rendering engine of FF to IE and you can use ST with no issues.

MY +ves about ST:
Good ELITE Platform
Good Tools
Research section is intuitive
Low cost trades
Good customer service
Charts are excellent in ST Elite
Fast Execution

My -ves about ST:
Occasional network hiccups.
Takes 5 to 6 damn days to do a DIRECT DEBIT deposit...Not Good
Trade history is funny showing expired orders