Stockbrokers > Offline Stockbrokers

Advantages: Quick and easy to use, excellent facilities
Disadvantages: Not the cheapest fees available

My experience with Natwest stockbrokers has been a very pleasent one. I use the online brokering system, which provides a secure and easy way to trade shares for a minimal fee. There are various options available when buying and selling shares (such as 'market' , 'fill or kill' etc.) and you can buy/sell by volume or by target price - which is very useful if you are on a budget! You also get to choose your settlement period. There are cheaper stockbrokering ...
...to buy/sell shares through the Natwest broker and optionally a nominee account to store your certificates electronically - which saves having to deal with paperwork and saves on certain fees. Although you don't get advice on what to buy/sell there is an extensive analytics section on the site, with heat maps, gainers/fallers, breakouts as well as in-depth material on all listed companies. You can also set up price alerts to receive SMS/email on ... Read review

Advantages: Well known name
Disadvantages: Very, very expensive

Barclays stockbrokers administer the Marconi (formerly GEC) PEP. The 2003 admin charges have increased 50% (after previous increases) and additionally there are charges for closure @ £25 and Crest charges of £15 plus pro-rata admin fees, all plus VAT. In my case the closure fees amount to more than the value of the stock! I tried to obtain details of my portfolio on line but my registration was repeatedly rejected and then I was told I was not ...
...also have accounts, Barclays comes at the bottom of the list. One further irritation, the only telephone number available is an 0845 number. This actually costs me more as I am a fixed monthly tarrif with my phone company - other than premium numbers which are charged extra. Not customer friendly. ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent advice, friendly, well established
Disadvantages: bit more expensive than online trading but doesnt matter if they makey ou money

I use Pritchard Stockbrokers, who are excellent. Their charges are pretty standard within the industry but they are more expensive than the online trading firms. However if you are like me, then you will like the fact of having your own personal stockbroker at the end of the telephone with a wealth of knowledge and tools at their disposal to help advise you and also help you with problems you may have with holdings. They also taylor the service to ... Read review

Advantages: Very efficient, good competitiveness, good customer service and knowledge.
Disadvantages: Lost some of its competitiveness in attracting new customers with higher commission rates

...help and advise given from Gerrard Limited (formally Greig Middleton & Co. Limited)and have therefore been more than pleased with every effort that they have made in efficency and advice on stocks and shares. I am only a small investor and make about 3-6 transactions a year of anything between £1000 - £2000 a time, but this figure is gradually getting higher with more money being made. I have found Grieg Middleton quite competitive in the share market ...
...change of Greig Middleton to Gerrard Limited, the commision is £29.50 reguradless of how many you buy (minimum cost / charge) and therefore have made it less attractive to the new investor. As a small investor, you tend to only buy a few shares, and with the added extras in buying and selling you shares, it makes the transactions more of a long term decision. This is mainly because the share price has to go up a lot more that it would have if you ... Read review

Advantages: plenty
Disadvantages: little

Charles Stanley is a private client stockbrokers that offers absolutely exceptional service. For some people, share dealing is done completely though the internet and no personal contact is required. However, many people look to have a one on one conversation with a professional in the business, that is on the end of the phone if ever needed. They offer the usual discretionary/advisory/exectuion only dealing and sub sections of those, however, in ...
...it. The discretionary service means that they will essentially decide what and when to spend your money on and you will always be kept fully up to date with their dealings. The company itself is hugely successful, run by Sir David Howard (ex lord major of London). Results by broking teams are expectional. I have not seen any downsides to the operations of the company. They are professional, always willing to advise/help on matters that may not be ... Read review