I use SURETRADE, and it's been easy in some ways and inconvenient is other ways.

It was easy to open up the account and get started. I just filled out an electronic form that I printed and mailed to SURETRADE along with an initial contribution of $500. It was setup in 2 weeks, and I was able to buy a stock with that $500. That part was simple and convenient.

However, I have also experienced an inconvience with SURETRADE. My wife and I have a Joint online trading account setup with SURETRADE. When I opened my wife's IRA, I sold a few shares of one of our stocks to "fund" her IRA. I assumed it would be simple to transfer the money from our Joint account to her IRA. It wasn't. We had to mail in a NOTARIZED letter of authorization with both of our signatures to transfer the funds from our Joint SURETRADE account to her Roth IRA SURETRADE account.

All in all, I think an online brokerage is the way to go for setting up an IRA. It allows you to be in control of the funds - which gives real meaning to self directed IRA. It is also quick and easy to setup and begin buying and holding stocks and index funds.

Good luck,
the hendrys