internet trading account

[DLS1]

I'm a really really new investor. I want to buy a few individual stocks/mutual funds. The prices seem really low right now, and I know the bottom of this market is nowhere in sight. I just want to gamble with 2k or so to start and I'm curious what internet trading site I should use. I have heard bad things about etrade and scottrade. What do you guys think I should use??

 

[Coach]

DLS1,

Vanguard, Fidelity and Schwab are pretty popular with the folks on here.

Coach

 

[Lakedog]

I use TD Ameritrade -- have had good service and trade prices are decent ($9.99).

 

[leahcim]

Don't you get like 30 free trades at TD Ameritrade? I want to buy stock on monday, but will I be able to? I tried to set up a zecco account to buy today and I read it can take a week just to get your account approved, then the money wires take like 2-3 days.

My bank is open tomorrow. Will TD open my account instantly, and have me ready to go by monday? Is this possible with vangaurd or anyone?

Thanks

 

[riskadverse]

It's pretty tricky to open a brokerage account in a day. If you can find a broker with a local office and you bring them cash, you might be able to swing an active account by Monday.

 

[Lakedog]

Don't you get like 30 free trades at TD Ameritrade? I want to buy stock on monday, but will I be able to? I tried to set up a zecco account to buy today and I read it can take a week just to get your account approved, then the money wires take like 2-3 days.

My bank is open tomorrow. Will TD open my account instantly, and have me ready to go by monday? Is this possible with vangaurd or anyone?

Thanks

I am not sure about how long the process takes -- I opened my last account with them via online application and electronic transfer of funds from my credit union but cannot remember the timeline since I was not in a hurry. You might be able to do this within a day a two -- I would call them to find out. My first account with them was a Roth which I had with TD Waterhouse (before Ameritrade took them over). I think they still offer the free trades for a new account.

 

[leahcim]

Thanks. My zecco account was approved about 2 hours ago. I'm going to just electronically transfer funds (3-4 days). Then, maybe GE will be lower. We'll see.