Join Early Retirement Today
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Vanguard vs. Fidelity vs. Schwab vs. etc. etc.
Old 10-05-2008, 11:16 PM   #1
Dryer sheet wannabe
Mikedb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: new york city
Posts: 13
Vanguard vs. Fidelity vs. Schwab vs. etc. etc.

Can't figure out which sub forum to post this in so I'll try here since I am still a newb. ( My intro thread is "bass Player with no Strings")

Is there anywhere that gets into comparing customer satisfaction with retirement services for companies like Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab.

Polls?

Reviews?

Other forums?

I'm surprised there isn't more here. I found a few threads but it seems to me this would be very helpful info.

thanks!
Mikedb is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 Early Retirement and Financial Independence Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

Are you planning to be financially independent as early as possible so you can live life on your own terms? Discuss successful investing strategies, asset allocation models, tax strategies and other related topics in our online forum community. Our members range from young folks just starting their journey to financial independence, military retirees and even multimillionaires. No matter where you fit in you'll find that Early-Retirement.org is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with our members, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create a retirement blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 10-06-2008, 01:55 AM   #2
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso)
Give me a forum ...
clifp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,733
In general you will find fans for all three companies, with Vanguard generally getting a few demerits for inflexible customer service. However, their lower mutual fund expenses and higher money market rates make up for this in many cases.

In general (I have accounts with all three although Schwab is my primary). If you were going to stick strictly with mutual funds, and CDs and you have between 10-100K I think I'd go with Vanguard. If you have interest in investing, in stocks, ETFs, alternative investments, I think Schwab or Fidelity are superior. Picking between those two I think would, to a large extent, depend on the location and staff of the most convenient office.

For a more formal survey in the past Money, Kiplinger magazine and other have done comparison, and you can search for more threads here.
clifp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-08-2008, 09:03 PM   #3
Dryer sheet wannabe
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11
I use all three firms in my investing. Here's my (subjective) view:

* Vanguard has the lowest expense ratios and gives you the best value for your money. I'm happy with the customer service. Only minus is that most funds have a $3,000 minimum.

* Fidelity has a much wider choice of funds than Vanguard's. Vanguard's isn't too shabby, but there is something for just about everyone at Fidelity.

* Schwab is a great brokerage. Lots of online help and resources. There are cheaper discount brokers but I don't know of any with such great service.

One additional consideration in these turbulent times. If you open a brokerage account at Schwab (or any other broker) and the firm goes under, you are insured by SIPC. However, SIPC is a private organization run by the brokers, NOT a federal program like FDIC for banks. If there were a major meltdown of brokerage firms, SIPC might run out of money. Unlikely, but worth mentioning. I don't believe that mutual funds have this problem, since they are merely pools of securities. Of course, the securities can drop in value, but other than that, I don't think a mutual fund can go bankrupt. A brokerage can, and if it does, the securities that it holds in the "street name" could be imperiled.
Ed at AAFR is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Vanguard vs Fidelity vs other mgr. Gearhead Jim FIRE and Money 3 05-05-2008 06:30 AM
Fidelity vs Vanguard or others vl4226 FIRE and Money 20 01-30-2008 04:55 PM
Schwab Vs Fidelity daverph FIRE and Money 3 10-15-2007 11:54 AM
Vanguard, TRowePrice or Fidelity? johnbb FIRE and Money 17 09-26-2006 05:38 AM
Fidelity vs. Vanguard getoutearly FIRE and Money 34 04-25-2006 08:11 AM

» Quick Links

 
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 12:04 AM.
 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.