Not really, I have schwab and it's much better than datek. Not sure if the platinum signature member has anything to do with it, but as long as I entered price within the bid/ask range, it took. Nasdaq listed stocks execution is usually faster than the NYSE listed stocks. Schwab also offers StreetSmart Pro, free for frequent traders, including free level II, realtime charts, Technical Indicators and news. Point and click feature would take you directly to Velocity trading platform which allows multiple orders. Level 2 from schwab also mark the time and sale next to it so you can tell which bids/asks are faked.
Datek works well, but only when it works. The automatic updated daily activity seems fragile, and if the order wasn't filled after few java updates, you would have to do it manually. Level 2 cost money and only works 90% to 95% of the time each month. You have to rely on other paid service for realtime chart and Technical Analysis studies. And, oops, there is no indication of staled and/or fake bid/ask from Datek's level 2 quote. You would have no idea which bid or ask prices or which MM are being traded on.
Don't know much about NDB, and yes, there was also E-Trash. Totally agree with you on that.
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