Joe - I also deal with Scottrade. If you want to trade within a couple hours, all you need to do is give them a money order, or a Bank/Credit Union check.
Some Banks and CU will only go up to $1000.00 limit for money order's. So I always use a check from my CU, and run it down to the Scottrade office. These are considered already paid for and go through the home office quick like.
Did exactly that today, took about 2 1/2 hours before it was in my accounts ready to trade after I dropped them off.
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