beginner

[rscott99]

I am an absolute beginner in investing in stocks other than my 401K. Would anyone like to reccomend a web site that where I can buy/sell stocks? Please tell me why you like the site as well. Thanks in advance. I look forward to learning from you all.

[IIC]

I am an absolute beginner in investing in stocks other than my 401K. Would anyone like to reccomend a web site that where I can buy/sell stocks? Please tell me why you like the site as well. Thanks in advance. I look forward to learning from you all.

Well...you found one right here for good ideas...Welcome, Doug(IIC)

[scifos]

Are you asking about a broker (like Ameritrade.com, Scottrade.com, E-trade.com, etc?) or for advice/commentary on the market and stock picking?

[rscott99]

I was looking for a good online broker. I like this site for advice so now I need to take the advice and buy some stocks!

[scifos]

I use ameritrade, but I hear good things about scottrade. Someone else on this board suggested one time something like interactivebrokers.com (they have very low commissions, but charge a monthy fee: good if you trade a lot). One thing I would be sure to ask or find out is how often the broker gets its customers "price improvement" which is the opportunity, but not the guarantee, for an order to be executed at a better price than what is currently quoted publicly. This can save you a lot of money if they can get you your stocks for .05 cheaper. I've found that ameritrade does this a lot, often making up for it's commissions being $4 more than scottrade.

[IIC]

I use ameritrade, but I hear good things about scottrade. Someone else on this board suggested one time something like interactivebrokers.com (they have very low commissions, but charge a monthy fee: good if you trade a lot). One thing I would be sure to ask or find out is how often the broker gets its customers "price improvement" which is the opportunity, but not the guarantee, for an order to be executed at a better price than what is currently quoted publicly. This can save you a lot of money if they can get you your stocks for .05 cheaper. I've found that ameritrade does this a lot, often making up for it's commissions being $4 more than scottrade.

I have 4 accounts at Scottrade...and I think they s*ck...too many outages, killed on market orders and their streamer is often wrong. The days low changes w/o notice and does not match their charts frequently. I was waiting for their UPGRADE to be completed...didn't know it would take so long.

I need to change.

[b_cadvantag]

My first post here:

I would rec Datek. But they no longer exist. So I have Ameritrade by default. They are ok, I have there Apex service and its ok. Sometimes I dont think I get good fills-but who does.
Some like FreeTrade- no costs there. But they have no IRA accounts there.

IB has low fees. So Does Brown & Co.

[alex85]

I've look around, mbtrading by far is the best. Although they don't have graphs, you can collaborate it with http://medved.net/QuoteTracker/index_nn.asp and get some basic stuff. Cheap trades. They also offer 3/4 Level 2.

[grebnet]

Im sure this isnt a popular cdhoice but I am happy with schwab. if you trade enuf(I do) Its 9.95 per trade no matter how many shares. get good prices ( always place a limit buy or sell price).. Dont get too hung up on commission. hopefully execution becomes more important than saving a buck or two.

[thebign1]

I am an absolute beginner in investing in stocks other than my 401K. Would anyone like to reccomend a web site that where I can buy/sell stocks? Please tell me why you like the site as well. Thanks in advance. I look forward to learning from you all.

Welcome rscott99, I would rec checking out Sharebuilder to start off with, since you are a beginner, no minimums....low fees.....automatic plans.....easy to use......the only thing I don't like about them is that you can't buy any stock that is listed, just the one's that fit their criteria.

regards, Norm

[IIC]

My first post here:

I would rec Datek. But they no longer exist. So I have Ameritrade by default. They are ok, I have there Apex service and its ok. Sometimes I dont think I get good fills-but who does.
Some like FreeTrade- no costs there. But they have no IRA accounts there.

IB has low fees. So Does Brown & Co.

Hi Tag...good to see you...IIC

[rscott99]

Thanks to everyone for their responses.

[df21084]

I have 4 accounts at Scottrade...and I think they s*ck...too many outages, killed on market orders and their streamer is often wrong. The days low changes w/o notice and does not match their charts frequently. I was waiting for their UPGRADE to be completed...didn't know it would take so long.

I need to change.

I use Scottrade, and I haven't experienced these problems. My biggest gripe against Scottrade is that they don't automatically reinvest dividends. That's a big negative in my opinion. However, they only require a $500 minimum to open an account.

I've heard good things about Ameritrade, but I think they require a minimum of $2500 to open an account. I believe that they will automatically reinvest dividends.

I used to use Sharebuilder, but the commissions you pay can be prohibitive if you only have a small amount of money to invest. But they will reinvest any dividends for free. Sharebuilder is nice in that you can set up automatic investments from your checking account, pick a good equity to buy, and then sort of forget about it, as Sharebuilder is geared for the buy-and-hold investor.

I hope this helps you.

[sisterwin2]

I am new and use ameritrade....I like how easy and on limit buys.... they seem to go cheaper then my limit.

dena