So you couldn't make money rebating and you figured you could by playing like the big boys. That makes no sense at all, I understand moving up to MSFT from let's say, JDSU, only when you feel you have reached a limit on your profit and figure you can get a better return on your investment because of size and volatility. For the record, I also used to trade at Swift and I got fired for arbing the AMEX specialist with ARCA. What a load of bullcrap!!! I have to admit it's pretty hard not to trade with fear for them knowing that you can finish the month owing them money.
Its not that I could not make money playing for credits, just found it pointless for an entire day...During slow times or low volume, I will still rebate a bit, but did not want that to be my core strategy.....
Good advice, especially because there is less of a consensus than normal regarding what the Fed will do tomorrow.