Buying shares - where to go .......

[Gizmonster]

I'm thinking of buying some shares ..... prob gonna spread the risk and invest in 3 separate companies - approx 2k each.
Apart from the obvious going to the bank and prob getting ripped off - does anyone know of any cheaper alternatives ???
Also, are the any websites that give lists of what dividends companies are paying (in % terms) ..... although I do appreciate that the divis aren't fixed - it'd be nice to know who's paying what at the mo :)

[ubasses]

See if your Bank offers an on line dealing service it is much cheaper.

[countrykid]

Have you used up your Stocks and Shares "ISA" allowance for the 2011/12 tax year yet? If not it might be a better bet to tap into something like this, rather than buying shares in a specific company (or three). There are lots of options, and I am a bit out of touch, but I thinkit is often a better deal if you use an independent financial advisor (IFA) to open up a stocks and shares ISA, rather than with with a company direct, as you often pay no fees. I used to do this in the "old" days with Personal Equity Plans (Peps) which were the forerunners to ISAs. One of my favourites at the time was Fidelity, but there are lots, so seek advice. In the current climate I would not recommend putting any amount directly into shares - unless you can afford to lose it. It might be worth contacting Hargreaves Landsdown for advice on a stocks and shares ISA/Shares investment. Hope this helps

[ladybirder]

The more you deal the cheaper it gets. For a one off you might as well use your bank. I use First Direct.

[eastern]

You will more than likely be able to open a trading account with your bank, depending on who your bank is. Trades are about £12 and you can do them live. One rule of thumb with shares, only spend what you can afford to loose. As for dividends a lot of the papers list the percentage yield. At the moment with Europe the way it is I wouldn't be buying anything just yet, but thats just me.

[eastern]

Sorry to disagree countrykid but avoid IFA's like the plague, you will end up with what they want you to have. Buy and sell within your ISA its a doddle and you dont pay tax on any profit.

[countrykid]

fair point eastern

[Buenchico]

SVS Securities probably offer the cheapest online 'execution only' service. They charge just £5.75 per trade, with no annual membership fee. Even better, trades within the first 30 days are only £1 each:
http://www.svssecurities.com/

[VHG]

Note that share dealing is a long term process and you only make money by keeping the shares for a long time and riding the ups and downs of the market.

Not for a quick dip in, make lots of money, and out again.

[johnk]

I would avoid banks, they charge lot and are experts at hiding other fees. Best to go online, I use iwebsharedealing about a tenner a trade and you can do a share ISA

[eastern]

Some people day trade shares on a regular basis, depends if you have the time and money to do it on a full time basis. Take today, SVS morning report which is a free mail shot said the market was going to open higher and it has. This isn't specialist its just having yourself organised and keeping an eye on whats happening. If it's specialist and you need specialist as triggerhippy says then how is it "skandia" have lost 30% of a friends investment! Believe me when you involve an IFA they make money before you do, even though it's your money you get the last bite of the cherry. Believe me avoid IFA's, open a trading account, study the papers and don't be afraid to sell when your up. As I said before the market is slowly recovering but one wrong word from a European bank can wipe out any gains instantly and shares drop 10x faster than they go up.

[Gizmonster]

Thanks for all the answers.
I've already used my ISA allowance so that's not an option.
I know that shares are long term and I just wanna buy some and leave them be and prob re-invest the divis as well - I'm just wondering what's the easiest and cheapest way.
Plenty of food for thought anway so thanks all :)

[AB Editor]

Selftrade is good. I think it's £12 a trade. You can also manage cash/share ISAs with it as well.