Hitman- I've met you in person, so you know I'm not trying to make a commercial for Echo, but it really seems like they are offering the best rates you can send me an e-mail if you have a better offer and don't want to post it. uptik2000
Eldr- check the echo site...they give you the pay back for Island too...it just seems like a great deal...if you're doing nasdaq i guess you have to consider ecn fees... most people know I don't work at/for echo...even though it seems like I'm touting themyes, i've had people offer to make the per share include ecn fees, but they were still higher than echo
Nitro, you have been a respectable and intelligent participant, and I would be willing to speak with you about all this, but for obvious legal reasons I cannot post much up here. 1. Check the contracts. 2. Check the balance sheets for owner's equity. 3. Calculate all the math (ECN fees, profit splits, etc. (based on a reasonable volume). 4. Be sure that you can withdraw money whenever you like, and be sure that you can keep positions at month's end (that should help you with a couple of firms. 5. Don't be wooed by fancy "stuff" ...since "stuff" (computers, screens, etc.) are constantly being updated. If I just started in business yesterday, then I would have brand new stuff. 6. Check clearing firms etc. Feel free to call me, identify yourself (so I can cut straight to the nitty gritty), and we can talk. No desperation here....
Don, Thanks for the kind words. This was an extremely helpful post. I will follow the advise when ready to "interview." nitro
Trader88: As I said, I don't deny that having a big time performer in the office is an edge, but as cheesy as this sounds, the difference is nowhere near the extent most people think it is. I don't say this because of sour grapes, I say this from my own, honest to god experience. Personally, I would take 100% effort over 25% effort. While I would like to say that the gap between me versus Don will close over time, I am going to shut up and play until it does happen. Of course, good luck with your adventure at Bright, and remember if you blow up there, you can always get a second try at Worldco. We don't give up on people, and we salvage careers. Uptick2000: I do everything public because what I can offer you is exactly what I can offer anyone else in your shoes. .90 / 100 shares = 400K shares - 1M shares .85 / 100 shares = 1M shares - 2M shares .80 / 100 shares = 2M shares - 3M shares .75 / 100 shares = 3M shares and Above Just a glance at that rate I can at least beat every level by .05. Are you putting up 25K? How much do they charge for bullets? Post it here and I will post my counter offer. That said, if you are doing mostly Nasdaq, then I would say go right ahead and go with Echo. There are just not enough people doing Nasdaq at our firm to make me recommend it highly in that regard.
Hitman, I diasgree. In any endeavor, unless your talent "falls off" you, you are nearly _ALWAYS_ better off being around the best in your field. This is such a trueism that it barely bears saying. However, I agree with you that if you are a newbie, I would most likely want a respectable environment that gave me 100%, than a fantastic environment that gave me 10-25%. nitro
Hitman- Those rates are pretty good. No, I'm not putting up 25k...only 10k to start Maybe I can come down to visit again, even though I'm not crazy about working out of Manhattan...but if I need to meet with Walter I should make arrangements for that too. Let me know. uptik2000
Nitro: If we are talking about the quality of traders, our firm stacks up well against anyone. As good as Bob is, he is not the only one who can trade. I can assure you that at every branch we have at least one seven digit performer. I can assure you that on every single row of 4-6, we have at least two profitable traders. I just want to send the message straight that our quality of talent is every bit as good as Bright's. Sure they may not waste a lot of time teach seminars and go to expo's, they trade. If you are talking about the quality of traders that actually teach, that is another debate altogether. If Bob just gives out weekly seminars, I think that is useless to all but fresh off the boat newbies, as I have never benefited from any seminars. Our firm used to ran them and just gave up on the concept, trading is such a personal game, you can't go one size fits all theme. On the other hand, if Bob shows you even half of what he does every day (and I don't mean oh I just made half a point off 250K ENE, I mean winners and losers), spends say 30 minutes with you every week if you want to, that is teaching, and that's an undeniable edge over me. We do have a winning atmosphere, even on my brand new rookie team, 4 out of 8 traders are profitable YTD, just to let you know that.
Uptick: Forgive me for asking, but just two weeks ago, Echo seemed untouchable as far as your choices are concerned. I am just wondering if anything turned you off, I am always looking for weaknesses in our competitors. And I assume you pay no ticket charge, 100% pay out, 1 cent per share with a desk fee of $400 a month? What about bullets? I will not waste your time, I just want to get all the details before I slam it home with Walter.