Help with buying stocks, please

[KayLaw]

I've bought stocks in the past from my regular banks with little difficulty. I tried to buy some today but one bank's investment person said he doesn't sell individual stocks and said I should go to Charles Schwab. I called them and they said I should open an account online. I went to their site and got the impression I need to open some account that I'll have to pay to maintain.

Then I called the bank where I do checking and had to make an appointment for Friday when their investment person will open an account and set me up with a discount place . . sheesh! Why so complicated? I just want to buy about 100 shares of FPL. I want to keep the certificate in my safe deposit box and that's it. I don't need any other service, advice, nothing.

Is there someplace I can place my order, pay my comission, and say adios?

[Nite Owl]

1. For basic transactions

Scottrade should be very good, why do you want to hold the certificate though? I think that you can request that there but not sure about that. They have a lot of local offices so check online and see if there is one near you, you can fax them everything, mail it in or go to the office. If you want to trade it yourself it's only a $7 commission, for them to do it by phone I think it's $17. They do not charge fees for anything.

[KayLaw]

7. I'm not even sure how I ended up with my certificates

I opened an account called a CAP account when we moved and changed banks. I closed it because they kept charging me fees and claiming it was accidental. I guess it's not that important to have the certificate. It just seems simpler, I suppose.

[norml]

2. Like N.Owl said, forget using overcharging banks and brokers. Do it online

I use E-Trade. Ameritrade or Scottade are also good. You'll find that besides trading they also provide a lot of traditional banking services.

By the way, I'm bullish on NGEN.

[BillZBubb]

3. On line is the way to go, I use eTrade.

You will have to open an account, but it doesn't cost anything. Getting your stock certificates may be different though. I just let them hold my account. I don't know what the procedure is to take physical possession of the certificates.

[nano]

4. Im short FPL

cause I think energy stocks will suffer from increased fuel
costs. My target is about $30 - thats a 25% down correction from
where it is now. Energy stocks look weak to me. But you might be right
and it it goes up to 43 then I might cover my short ...

[KayLaw]

6. I'm reading The Coming Economic Collapse

Stephen Leeb likes FPL and says it's two different companies. One the regulated utility, and the other is involved in other businesses, most interestingly, wind power and liquefied natural gas.

[displacedtexan]

5. I opened an online Schwab account.

I've made a killing on Google and Tim Horton's in one month.

[KayLaw]

8. Thanks to all who suggested the online brokers.

I intend to look into them tonight and maybe I'll have my shares and be able to cancel Friday's appointment.

[Sammy Pepys]

9. Try Sharebuilder.....n/t

....

[Matariki]

10. i have an account at scottrade.com

$7 fee and easy to use website. i like it. the only thing i don't like is getting the money to them isn't as easy as i would like. it would be nice to be able to transfer money from an external account. although they say they hope to have that feature by summer.

speaking of summer, for what it's worth, the stars are aligned for a stock price reduction by end of june. i'm waiting for the fire sale.