I'll give you two examples...If you can, please show me which route would be better. Fidelity will not tell me the advantages of the routes...Schwab won't give me a choice (unless I sign up as an active trader...Which I may). GE...Wishing to buy 100 shares. Bid 14.90 Ask 14.96 I put in my price of 14.91...Many people jump in front of me. So I raise my price one cent...Fewer jump in front of me. I raise it another cent and it gets bought. In this example which route would have been the best to execute the trade?? If we are talking pennies...It doesn't make a difference to me. The execution is the key for me. I make about 50 to 100 trades total a year, in 5 different accounts at Schwab and Fidelity...Not a real active trader...Just me.
Second example...I want to option (covered call) my new GE stock for Jan 2019 at 15. Bid 1.78 Ask 1.85 I put in my price of 1.79...People jump in front of me. I then up it a cent...Fewer people (computers/big boys) jump in front of me. I add another cent and it gets bought. Sometimes I will get a better price if the option is in 5 cent increments...Again, the big boys/girls can get in first while I have to do 5 cent increments...Whoever is in line first get my option...If Schwab/Fidelity can get me a better price, they will. But I am still wondering which route to use in these two examples. And can you tell me why it would be best to go that route?? Cabin