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Technology Stocks : All About Sun Microsystems -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Sonki who wrote (31171)	4/20/2000 9:59:00 PM
From: Lynn	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 64865

Dear Sonki: Yes, ML offers a program called Unlimited Advantage. I saw it advertised at their web site last year and when I could not find the URL to send you right now, gave ML a call. Here is what the fellow said: There is a minimum yearly charge of $1,500 for an Unlimited Advantage Account though which one gets unlimited trades for a year. The actual yearly charge is tiered to one's assets in the account. For the first million, it's 1% then the percentage goes down. These accounts have to be opened at a ML branch but after that, all trading can be done on line (should a person so desire) except for the trading of options. For trading options, one must still call the broker. I double checked to make sure the fee included trading options and the fellow said, "Yes, the fee covers all kinds of purchases and sales someone does; nothing is excluded." For ML's new, $29.95/trade Merrill Lynch Direct accounts, the one I provided the URL for, options can not be traded at this time. From the FAQ: "Can I trade stock options? No. Stock option trading is not currently available through Merrill Lynch Direct." mldirect.ml.com I do, however, expect this to change. ML just started offering online accounts in December and did not advertise them until recently. When I say didn't advertise, I mean there was not even a mention of these accounts at ML's regular site! I only found out about them calling about something else and making a comment about ML falling behind the times--at which point the woman told me about their new, unadvertised accounts. As the fellow told me when I opened my online account, ML Direct will be expanding it's online offerings this year. Options trading is something he said I could do before the end of the year [I don't understand so I don't do options]. BTW, I should have asked what kind of servers ML was using. Nuts! But I'll remember to ask the next time I call ;> Have a nice Easter, Sonki. Best regards, Lynn Disclaimer: I do not hold any shares of MER. I am merely a very satisfied client.