From: "Sunil Sood" 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: SELFTRADE
Date: Sat, 5 Aug 2006 17:10:17 +0100


"William"  wrote in message 
news:eav1df$om9$1$8302bc10@news.demon.co.uk...
> I am looking to use these brokers for my ISA /PEP are they any good? 
> Problems / complaints ?

Selftrade are now basically Comdirect/Squaregain renamed. There customer 
bases were merged and the 'old' Selftrade adopted the Comdirect/Squaregain 
trading platform and charges.

As such, if you research what people have previously said about 
Comdirect/Squaregain you will have a good idea of what to expect.

I would recommend themselves for several reasons:

- they charge a flat £12.50/trade regardless of if its done online or by 
telephone
- they have good customer service including their own discussion board on 
http://www.fool.co.uk/ which they actively monitor and participate in.
- they don't charge a "inactivity fee" like some other brokers or account 
fees for their standard dealing accounts
- they allow you to buy shares abroad (i.e. american shares) if you want
- if you want an ISA and/or PEP, they charge £25/year - regardless of how 
many years are involved and standard dealing accounts are "free"
- there web site also includes some research information on many companies

My one grip is that I wish their interest rates on cash held was higher - 
not really an issue if you only have a standard dealing account (as its easy 
to take money in and out) but could be if you have large sums sitting around 
in an ISA waiting to be invested.

Also, if you're not currently a member of Squaregain and are referred by an 
existing customer, you get £50 as a "joining bonus" (the referrer gets the
same)- so if you're interested in joining let me know (my email address is 
valid)

Regards
Sunil