What's new? Brokerages push their sales people, and that is what they are, to generate commission. If you don't produce, you will be looking for another job. This happens from the largest brokerages to the smallest.
To each his own thinking. I would rather trade with my major adversary instead of against him. I know he will be here tomorrow taking the contra position of the masses.
You are forgetting about a major player in the market that is always one of the contra parties to your position when you are trading following price movements.
A prime example of the people that the public should avoid. A person with knowledge of the markets couldn't spend the interest on the money he would be making, and would have no reason to try and sell books and instructions. Beware!!
There is one truism that you need to be aware of from the start of your trading. Don't expect some one to give you advice that will make you a successful trader. If they know anything worthwhile you can be assured you will be the very last person on earth they will share it with.
Thanks for the information. I use to on the Board of Directors of a financial institution and that was a problem with merchants wanting to offer cash discounts or charge a surcharge. Since I have retired I was not aware of the lawsuit and change.