robdavis
69 posts
msg #33228
- Ignore robdavis |
9/12/2004 9:07:45 PM
Mastertrader1,
I'm not sure what you mean by "live quote service that have advanced email alerts" or "when they trade 0.25 or more from the last execution", but if you mean instant alerts by third parties, then there are many services for FREE (if price is a factor for you).
Possibility #1: Use island.com's instant, real time alerts; no one can beat their FREE and reliable service. Limitations: 1) stock has to trade on Inet, 2) Inet's prices are not always the best market prices, 3) your mobile device has to be up and running, and 4) the company that alerts your mobile device has to be up and running every minute of every single day.
Possibility #2: Use marketwatch.com's instant alerts, no one can beat their FREE and reliable service. Limitations: 1) there is a 15 or 20-minute delay, 2) your mobile device has to be up and running, and 3) the company that alerts your mobile device has to be up and running every minute of the day. Advantages: 1) stock can trade on any of the U.S. markets, and 2) their prices are true market prices.
Possibility #3: Use Quotetracker's instant, real time alerts; no one can beat their FREE and reliable service. Limitations: 1) your PC has to be on and running, 2) your ISP has to be up and running, 3) the stock you want alerts on has to be in your portfolio and the latter is something you cannot change from a remote location, 4) your broker's streaming quotes have to be up and running, 5) QT has an annoying, wide bandwidth, and many distractions, because of their advertising on your computer, and 6) your mobile device has to be up and running, and 7) the company that alerts your mobile device has to be up and running every minute of the day.
There's one important consideration: The more 3rd parties you use, the more likely that one of them will drop the ball, costing you BIG BUCKS. Keep in mind, if you have losses, any losses, no service will pay your losses. Example 1: Island sends an instant alert on time, but your e-mail provider (or mobile device company, or cell phone company) delays the relaying of the alert by 3-4 HOURS. I know you can say, "That kind of ridiculously long delay will never occur on my Palm device, or Verizon cell phone", but, even with the best companies, it can happen to you at any time, even tomorrow.
One solution is planned redundancy; one could use all the above three 3rd parties (i.e. Inet, Marketwatch, QT), PLUS get a pager, and cell phone, Palm device (just in case one or two of them drop the ball), but the market has to be one's life and passion, if one is willing to to spend that money and carry with you all those devices all the time.
I hope this helps.
Rob
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