I was short some far OTM QQQ call spreads that were .01b-.03a. I paid $3.14 in commission (per spread) to cover $2 in short premium.
You most likely are paying for taking liquidity which can add over .80 per contract, depending on the exchange. Remember you can also be paid to add liquidity with IB. You could always switch to a fixed rate.
Here's the weird thing FSU: twice today (at least on a spread basis) I was charged $3.14 ($1.57 per side) and once (in SPY) I was on a limit order that was a dime away when entered and not filled for an hour after submission. In other words, by no standard was I a taker. Yet, a few similar orders in a scale were only charged $1.27! 90% of the time I trade ES options but NQ opts suck and since I was synthetically spreading SPX vs NDX I used ETF opts, so I'll investigate fixed.
You should also check to see if they have you labeled as a Professional Customer. If that is the case, it would explain the higher commissions.
I left IB for the very reasons you mentioned... They were charging me upwards of 6 bucks per fly,and their fills are no better than TOS..In fact,I would say they are worse..
I would like to leave IB as well due to their high commish... Just no TOS, Fidelity or the like in the Great White North
LOL you guys are spoilt in the US. Trading xjo index options in Australia is $2.20 per contract with IB. Although recemtly the have dropped it to $1.70 per contract so $6.80 per fly
Huh? You're talking canada right? You open a TD Canada trust brokerage account it uses TOS I'm almost positive. Now their comissions im not sure