Multiple Watchlists

Why do they have to be on TK? Here is a post on how to do it on Yahoo Finance and you don't need an account. 

http://community.tradeking.com/forum/categories/general/topics/8993-easy-watchlist/forum_posts 

Thanks for the information,  I can make my watchlists in Yahoo or Google with no issues.  My only comment would be that if my watchlist is in yahoo and my trading account is in TK then thats 2 accounts to keep up with logins etc.  With my other brokerage TD i can click directly on the stock in my watchlist and trade it without having to login to another site.  Its just convenience  and if one online broker can offer such functionality i would think others like TK would want to be competitive.  Its not a big deal im only saying it would be nice to be able to have multiple watchlists within my broker as i like to utilize my online broker as my source for my research as well if possible.

Thanks

Patches/JTW,

Our tradable watchlist embedded in the site and TK LIVE, you're correct is limited currently to 40 symbols, and is the lone list. We offer a third party streaming data system for our active traders (average of 10 trades per month) from Alphatrade.com. This is java powered and embedded in the site, which allows for up to 10 watchlists within 50 symbols each. However, the above noted ability to trade directly from those watchlists is not available.

We offer that data system (including quotes, charts, news, portfolios, etc) free of charge to active traders.  If you make 10 or more trades per month, you are eligible for the streamer.  We are glad to set up all clients for 1 month trial of the streamer, and at the end of the trial an account would be evaluated based on the trading activity to determine continues access to the tool.  If not qualified, you would continue to receive unlimited refreshable real-time quotes, charts, options chains, and TK LIVE. We never charge for this streamer, and it would simply deactivate is falling below active trading status.

Please feel free to request to check it out from any of our service channels.

Best as always,

Rocco Sabino
TradeKing
Trading and Customer Support

Bullogic said: You know you can negotiate your commissions down in TD Ameritrade.  You will never get $4.95 but I pay only $7 per trade and $1 for every option contract without a base fee.

Interesting, thanks.  Do I have to prove my active trader bona fides before I open negotiations?  I have an IRA and taxable account at TDA, I somewhat actively trade in my IRA while doing virtually nothing in my taxable account.  I have reached "Apex" status from my IRA trading, maybe that's good enough?

I started with TK but after all the screws up I left and went to TDA and never looked back.  The extra money spent is well worth the piece of mind I get from my trading platform.  

You do have to make some trades before they will lower your trades.

Good feedback everyone. I just wanted to add that every broker out there has special commission tiers and structures set up to negotiate with active traders, including TradeKing. Of course there is some risk with me putting this information out there as of course you know we simply can't negotiate rates with everyone, no one can. However in order to remain competitive we need that capability, as some of the top five brokers even go lower than our advertised rates.

We have active traders contacting our service desk and shopping rates daily. For active traders new to TradeKing, we require at least 3-6 months of historical statements from the current firm to even start the conversation. Frankly the more data you can provide that shows sustained active trading, the better.

In regards to the structure of the commission, its a good suggestion and makes sense when managing existing positions where you are only looking to add a small number of contracts. In the past year we did modify our rates after several customer requests to allow commission free trades on closing short options valued 5 cents or less. We are of course open to making structural changes that work for our clients, and for us.

As you know we are in the middle of a merger with Zecco and still working through the various levels of integration across all departments. I don't expect any major pricing changes to happen across the boards anytime soon however I've sent along this feedback to the senior team here. Doougle I'll reach out to you via PM so we can talk more about your account.

Thanks,
Dave

Patches,

I am on the same boat with you regarding 1099 fiasco. In addition to TK account I have two accounts in TDA (one - tax deferred, one - taxable), A year ago when I mentioned to TDA that I have 50K+ in TK account, they offered me to match the TK rate for stock trading ($4.95) if I transfer TK account to TDA. I did not ask them to match option trading rate at that time, since I did not plan actually to move my account (TK had a great rate for 10+ options trades last year - not anymore, and I liked 4-leg options as one transaction). TDA did not even ask me how actively I traded, and agreed even to provide the offer above with rates in writing.

I am still waiting how TK will complete the handling of 1099 fiasco.
And I agree with you, that my time is more valuable than extra bucks I save by staying with TK. This is the last chance I give TK.

Good luck.