I tried different searches on the net...Trying to find exit fees for brokers. So WHAT ARE the exit fees for closing an account at IB?? Other brokers charge about $150. to move money and stocks to another broker. And I do believe they will not allow any open positions of any kind before the move...
You are probably right. I haven't transferred anything in 15-20 years. Morgan Stanley required it when I moved to either Schwab or Fidelity. Been happy with Schwab and Fidelity. I'm an active trader, but not a day trader. I don't get (or need) the best fills. Customer service is big for me. I am willing to forgo the best trade, to be able to talk to someone who halfway knows their stuff. Both Schwab and Fidelity fits that bill. I'm also happy with the 0 commissions...And yeah, I know they make it up with the front running.
I should have specified that I live at the other side of the pond, in Europe, so my experience comes from listening to my fellow angry 'surrounders'. We don't love our support options here. I can read now a few USA citizens being happy with their support, so yeah kick IB in the guts then, they should try to the improve their help desk.
TD Ameritrade is a hit and miss. Sometimes if you are lucky, you can get one really fast who happens to be super nice and knowledgeable but sometimes you can get a crappy clueless noob who knows nothing and is incredibly rude. But I agree the wait time is always less.
I'll say it, "my broker has amazing customer support" (Dash Prime) and my execution platform service as well (WEX) In the years I've been with them, I don't ever remember when the phone rang more then 3 times with any question I had. And I speak to someone who knows what they are talking about and cares. I also never remember my execution platform ever going down. But I understand why people have accounts at IB (I have one there as well) They offer access to products that no one else does.
TD Ameritrade customer service has been great. I don't really need to contact support much, but when I do I have no issues. Very quick response.
It is always a good idea to have a backup or have another broker to diversify your funds and to avoid the shortcoming of one broker.