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Non-Tech : Datek Brokerage $9.95 a trade -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Spots who wrote (8357)	5/1/1998 8:41:00 PM
From: Len	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16892

That's so true, Spots. So many of my early calls to Flatek were to complain (ask) about just that. A rule is not always a rule. Depends on whether the system is aware of the rule that day, that moment, that week. And pity the fool who tries to get two customer service reps to give the same answer. At least we can always count on Dilbert.

To: Spots who wrote (8357)	5/1/1998 8:59:00 PM
From: Eric P	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16892

Wow! This is the first time I have read this thread in ~6 months. I was referenced to Peter's post from another thread and read the last 20-30 posts. For what it's worth here are my thoughts from what I have read: 1) Datek still has a SERIOUS customer service problem. The sentiment on this thread could mean nothing else. As I recall, the same was true last ~September when I last read this thread. 2) In spite of this, they still have one or two loyal supporters. Employees? ;-) It all sounds so familiar, only back then it was Rodney Babcock, I believe. Is he still hanging around these days? 3) I would suggest to Datek that they establish a strong voice in this thread ==> Listening to their customers, responding to their customers and improving their product/service to delight their customers. It doesn't sound like the customers are particularly important to them. For a while, I read the "Island ECN" thread, hosted by a Datek employee in search of improved customer service. Perhaps not surprising to some of you, he stopped responding to any questions in the thread, and it was a very civil thread. I believe he stayed for about the first two weeks and 50 posts... 4) It only goes to prove that $9.95 per trade is not necessarily a good deal. Disclaimer: I have never had a Datek account and don't personally know anyone who has. I do have an account with an online firm, but to keep from touting anyone, I'll simple say that it's either ABWatley, Castle Online, or MB Trading. From what I know, they are all ~$20/trade and make their money off of commission only, not trading against their customers. I have been quite pleased with the nine months I have been with them. From what I've read on this thread, I believe any of those three firms will provide a substantial money SAVINGS and stress reduction from an account with Datek. Good luck to all. I hope this viewpoint has added some value to the discussion here. -Eric Patterson