Originally posted by OldTrader
One other point I neglected to mention.....make sure the 39 print was a NYSE trade if your order was on the NYSE. Most quote systems quote all trades, even if they trades away from NYSE. You would be entitled to fill if there was a print through your limit unless the print took place somewhere else away from the NYSE. Alot of possibilities as to why you may not have been filled, none of which have a thing to do with the specialist screwing you, or the NYSE being screwed up.
OldTrader
Quite true. When I look at a time and sales to see if something is contestable, I have to make sure they were all NYSE trades, 2nd and 3rd market don't count.
The only time it seems to get canceled is when it turns out I shouldn't have touched it and maybe would have benefited from the two minute rule... I sure seems like it ain't totally random in terms of when the system is in your favor and when it's not. And I don't think you can easily claim you make more on price improvement than you lose on such things.