E*TRADE doesn't charge me anything when I don't trade during the month or even during a year. And my balance is very low so that isn't the reason I'm not charged.
Could it be that you have them mixed up with another broker? I've never had a problem at all with them. They don't allow shorting OTC stocks but I would never try to short a stock... that seems a little risky to me.
Right now I'm trading a lot and E*TRADE charges only $7.99 per trade. Ordinarily, it's $9.99. I've been with them around 14 years or so and am extremely happy, no complaints whatsoever.
News 
Market Data 
Discover 
