[ESRBob]

I've been able to get good help from Vanguard over the phone whenever I've needed extra assistance. I know Vanguard service has come under fire in the past, but I've never had a problem. (It may also depend on what tier you are in based on assets kept there).

I also use Schwab and have had good help on the phone. Would never occur to me to go into their office -- much easier to stay at home and mail stuff or use the web or phone.

Plain fact is that I call these guys once or twice a year -- everything else I do on the web. If you really get into the buy-and-hold/rebalance annually approach this all tends to get really easy no matter who you go with or what their service infrastructure.

I would be concerned if Fidelity is charging a $75 fee to buy a Vanguard or other outside fund -- that could add up. Overall, my experience is Vanguard is pretty militaristic about keeping fees low for long term investors and cutting breaks on even those fees to their higher-tier clients. Some of this may be possible because they are organized as a 'co-op' that runs somewhat along the lines of a non-profit. Not sure about Fidelity's overall expenses now, but when I used them before, their approach to fees were more in line with those of a for-profit company.