For over a year I had been thinking about moving my investment accounts from Smith Barney to E*TRADE. So, I tried them out online and found the site easy to use and trustworthy.
It was really this office and it's nearby location that pushed me to make the switch. I know next to nothing about investing so I needed to talk to someone to help me with the transition. Since I knew this local brick and mortar was here, I popped in for some help.
I was really expecting something more 'user friendly', to be honest. I thought e*trade was the 'everymans' way to trade stocks so I expected a casual and friendly environment. As soon as I walked in that perspective changed. The office was plastered with plasma tv monitors displaying a crazy amount of stock tickers and tv channels and was manned by young stock-broker types in suits and ties.
They looked at me a bit funny when I walked in due to my t-shirt, shorts, and tattoos. I obviously didn't belong here. However, they showed me to a financial adviser that was willing to help. Upon him looking at my accounts I almost heard an audible chuckle...then he informed me that normally they only sit down with people that have over 1/4 million dollars in investments. Silly me. The guy told me that he wanted to help me though so, in an almost patronizing fashion, he continued to help me get all my accounts transitioned over.
If I didn't have a tough skin and want to learn, I may have felt even more insulted...but instead, I sorta understand. There's not many young folks who would walk in here asking investment advice know virtually nothing. I think they were just taken off guard.
In the end, they gave me everything I needed along with this advisor's card and his multiple requests that I call if I get confused or need any help. I'm not sure I would call, but I might stop in again if I needed the help.
Overall, it was probably what I should have expected. They were helpful and professional, I was just a bit out of my league. The E*TRADE online company and tools are fantastic and I should just be glad to have some actual people that I can chat with so close by. read more