Broker Hunting....

Ron_H · Nov 13, 2003

Hi Elites,

I was hoping some of you out there might have some suggestions for me on a broker as I'm having some difficulty finding one meeting all my criteria. Any help appreciated. Could be just a url for me to check out even. Here's what I'm looking for:

- ability to trade both futures, stocks, and options from a single account.

- smart routing

- telephone contact

-all orders handled electronically, including stocks and options

-redundant computer systems

-reasonable commissions

Thanks a bunch,

Ron.

trend_guy · Nov 13, 2003

Are you kidding around? Haven't you seen IB written all over this forum?

Ron_H · Nov 13, 2003

For sure, but all I've seen on these boards regarding IB is basically negative. i.e. TSW crashing, lost globex feeds, and the lack of customer service, etc.

FX-Trader · Nov 13, 2003

Quote from Ron_H:

I was hoping some of you out there might have some suggestions for me on a broker as I'm having some difficulty finding one meeting all my criteria. Any help appreciated. Could be just a url for me to check out even. Here's what I'm looking for:

- ability to trade both futures, stocks, and options from a single account
- smart routing
- telephone contact
- all orders handled electronically, including stocks and options
- redundant computer systems
- reasonable commissions

How about IB ?

blb078 · Nov 13, 2003

Quote from Ron_H:

For sure, but all I've seen on these boards regarding IB is basically negative. i.e. TSW crashing, lost globex feeds, and the lack of customer service, etc.

Ib will work just fine for you, i admit the phone c/s isn't the best, but i've heard it's improving, i haven't had to call them in a while, their online c/s, is great though, TWS is simple and easy to use, i haven't had any major problems w/it crashing.

hypostomus · Nov 13, 2003

...the IB bashing is bullshit. IB is an excellent broker, been with them a coupla years, no probs. ET is full of vicious liars.

noname · Nov 13, 2003

I also have to recommend IB I'v never had a problem with them. By far the best retail broker I'v ever used.

spyderman · Nov 13, 2003

My experience with them is 4 months and I am on at least 10 hours a day sometimes 20 if I am trading DAX. My guestimate out of those 800 hours is maybe 20 minutes of downtime total which was on their end. After years of experience on a trading floor, with other professional firms, with other retail brokers, that aint bad. I would definitely give em a try.

SLK might be better, maybe or maybe not cheaper, but certainly requires more capital to initiate.

good luck!

Ron_H · Nov 13, 2003

Thanks guys,

I guess I'll give IB a shot. Appreciate the feedback.

Cheers,

Ron.