Yes, and AOL is still a lousy online service, with zillions of annoying ads, with incessant timeout messages, and with constant abrupt signoffs. Families, kids and newbies don't seem to mind, because they don't know better.
Over the long run, customers might just expect better service from a brokerage. E-Trade will have to improve, unless it wants to degenerate into a financial entertainment "destination," where you can play stock games, peck at the keyboard for real-time quotes ("golly, look at EGRP, down to $1 today"), research mutual funds at your leisure, etc. -- everything but actually place a trade. Gluttons for punishment could even attempt that, and risk entering the maze of delays, busy signals, unavailable services, etc.
I exaggerate, of course. There are days when E-Trade works. But there are other days such as today. And even on good days, try getting a good fill and fast confirmation at the open.
Brooke |
