As a first time-poster to this thread, I also agree it's horrible at times. I was in for about 15 minutes at the open before it started giving me "authentication errors". At the time I was in, it took forever to get quotes. I've since been unable to get back in all morning. I have real time quotes with them, and haven't seen one since 9:45. I've noticed the turn around on delayed quotes on CNN & wanted to make a trade and couldn't. I've been with e*trade for a year and have also lost money on other occasions due to inability to log on.
In fairness, if we're not in the middle of a crisis, I get very good executions. I imagine many services are overloaded in these situations but that's not excuse - ADD EVEN MORE CAPACITY! The fund managers screwed us yesterday, & it almost seems a little too convenient that the little guys can't get in and take advantage of the sale prices, until the sale is over. The street never wants to accomodate the little guy when it's not to their advantage, IMO.
If e*trade is most concerned with accomodating the "investor" vs the "trader", they must understand that a smart investor still should be able to time his entry or exit. One alternative I use when I expect an overload, is to put in GTC limit orders where I feel I'd be happy getting in or out. You may miss the best real time opportunity, but it keeps your blood pressure lower knowing you have a back up order already placed.
regards all,
Tom |
