189: Dan Pipitone—Is Your Broker-Dealer Really There For You in These Volatile Times?

<p style="text-align: center;"><span style= "font-size: 24px;"><strong>Hear how your broker-dealer should be responding to you</strong></span></p> <p>“It’s important to be an informed consumer. We are in unprecedented times due to pandemic concerns, geopolitical tensions and our own presidential election. You should become familiar with how your broker-dealer handles customer service to prevent problems and make sure your trades are executed smoothly,” says Dan Pipitone, co-founder and owner of <a href= "https://us.tradezero.co/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TradeZero America</a>. We interviewed Dan so we could help you, our listeners, think clearly about your own relationship with your broker-dealer during the ups and downs of today's stock market. Crucial listening!<img class="mce-hs-more" style= "height: 20px !important;" src= "data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" data-mce-placeholder="" /></p> <p style="font-size: 20px;"><strong><img style= "width: 159px; float: left; margin: 7px 18px 0px 0px;" src= "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/398462/Dan%20Pipitone-square-1.jpeg" alt="Dan Pipitone-square-1" width="159" />Here are some of the topics Dan and I discussed. Listen in and ask yourself, “How has this volatility impacted me?”</strong></p> <p>For example:</p> <p><strong>1. Does your broker-dealer provide a phone number for customer service? </strong></p> <p>Your broker-dealer should have a direct phone number you can call if you have a problem, not just a customer service e-mail or functionality for a computer chat.</p> <p><strong>2. Who answers the phone?</strong></p> <p>Sometimes customer service lines are answered by bots. You should be able to talk to an actual person.</p> <p><strong>3. How fast can you reach someone and is that person qualified?</strong></p> <p>Time is of the essence in fast-moving markets. The customer service rep should answer quickly and be able to resolve your problem promptly, without referring you to a manager.</p> <p><strong>4. What are your