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Secret #4: If you want to talk to a human, expect to pay for it…

…and even then, you may not be able to get anyone on the phone.

While some online brokers are certainly very responsive to customer phone calls, emails and live chat questions, others offer limited access to live help, at best.

Some don’t even offer broker-assisted trading by phone, so if the web site is down, or your own Internet service is out, you’re out of luck.

Before you open a new account with an online broker, ask about alternatives to trading online.

Find out what the live customer service hours are. And test-drive the broker’s customer service. Send an email, call, test the live chat feature. Note how quickly your call or email is answered as well as the quality of the response. (Are you getting the customer service you deserve? Find out here.)

Click here to compare brokers online now.

Next: Secret #5