People who use Scottrade, I need your input.

I used them in the past. I sent in a check to my office to fund it and I had a debit card through them that allowed me to access my funds like a normal bank debit/credit card.

From Scottrade's website:

Based on my experience, it will take about 3 days from your account setup to the time you can trade using this method.

Money DirectTM - Instantly and Securely Fund Your Account

Easily, quickly and securely transfer funds online into your Scottrade account(s). Money DirectTM (ACH) facilitates same-day online fund transfers from your bank into any of your individual, joint, IRA, ESA or SEP accounts.

If your bank participates in an ACH network or if you're a first time Money Direct user whose account is verified by instant account verification, you can use Money Direct and transact the same day. If you use the challenge deposit method, you may have to wait up to three business days. New and existing clients will be given credit for the transfer the day it is requested, as long as the request is made prior to 8:45 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Transfer instructions received on a non-business day or after the specified cutoff time will be processed the next business day around 6:00 a.m. (ET).

Funds deposited through Money Direct cannot be used to purchase stocks under $4, any unlisted stocks, any options, or any stocks that are deemed non-marginable by Scottrade until the third business day after the deposit.

If you have a local office, it's very helpful to open it live and spend some time getting all the info and paperwork together. It's nice to have the hard paper from the account opening, in my files. And all questions are answered, right then.

When I first started trading thru Scott, I was lucky to have a Starbucks next to the local office. Got into the habit of carrying the coffee/coffees over to the office and get into conversations, if they weren't busy. They weren't good for answers, but I would prod them to find out. And they would. I learned a lot about daytrading (at the time, don't do dat nomore ).

If you use moneydirect to transfer money to them you can't buy stocks under $4.00 until 3 business days later. If you take a check to their office you can buy stocks under $4.00 the next afternoon.