I cannot think of anything I don't like about Schwab, except that I didn't buy them sooner (8 or 9 years ago would have been nice).

I am a customer both personally and through my corporation. They administer our SIMPLE IRA and do a great job.

There's a local office where I get help as necessary.

I do wish that through the web interface, all my accounts could be accessed through one login. I have many, and I have to log in to each one individually.

As far as positioning, I believe they certainly started as a discounter, but as the deep discounters have moved in, they are adding value added services in order to maintain their trade pricing (I can't provide any specifics, this is just what I recall reading recently).

For my level of trading (couple a month) I can handle the 29.95.

On the internet stock issue, I agree with the past couple of posts, and here's another angle... The day before TGLO went public, I put in a limit order at $15. I had no idea what might happen. Of course it went ballistic right off, and my order was not filled. With all the hype on these Internet IPO's, I'm sure lots of us amateurs do this, and then when our order isn't filled we make a call ($$$).

Good luck!