| Saving money using a discount broker is the route | | | | keeping trades online helps keep costs down. Since |
| that many investors use now to invest, but today | | | | the commission prices are low, what other features |
| there are so many brokerage firms, how can you | | | | can be expected from top brokerage firms? One |
| find the best brokerage firm for your needs? The | | | | feature is customer service. Getting an associate on |
| answer is that while there are many firms that may | | | | the phone right away when there is a problem or |
| have the basic services to meet your requirements, | | | | need during the trading day is key. Are you kept on |
| why settle for just the basics? With many firms to | | | | hold? Is there an alternative to phone available, like |
| choose from, you can instead work with a firm that | | | | web chat? Try contacting the firms you're |
| offers a higher quality of attention to what today's | | | | considering and compare the responses you get, |
| investor wants. | | | | both the timing and the attitude of your service |
| The bottom line when using a discount brokerage | | | | person. This can be an important matter when you |
| firm used to be price. Years ago, slashing the cost | | | | are in the thick of the trading day. Some discount |
| per trade was the primary purpose of switching to a | | | | brokers offer a toll free number, but you never get |
| discount broker. When trade commissions cost $25 | | | | a person right away, the call gets routed to a local |
| or more, there is a significant cost to each | | | | brokerage office, or somewhere else. Make sure you |
| transaction, and especially for individuals who are | | | | test this feature. |
| frequent traders. Now, commissions are routinely | | | | Finally, trading tools are all-important today as well. |
| under $10, and many firms charge less, while | | | | You can not only learn about up to date trends in |
| providing more services and features. They do it by | | | | investment vehicles, trade allocation, derivatives and |
| not spending a fortune on advertising, by relying on | | | | other ideas, but you'll find the best tools provide you |
| members to contribute content such as blogs and | | | | with new ways to make money in your brokerage |
| other trading discussions, by building vibrant blogs and | | | | account. Webinars, online courses, topical and current |
| forums for experts to review the current trends and | | | | blogs and discussions can all point you to ideas that |
| trades. | | | | investors need today to be successful in the market. |
| Electronic trading does not cost the broker much, so | | | | |