# Opinions on using vanguard.com to open an account? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 9, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184 "2015-02-09T03:37:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/1 "2015-02-09T03:37:31Z")
I’ve decided to put some money in a Vanguard investment account. Has anyone had a good experience using their web site (as opposed to going through a manager)? I’m sure it’s fine but I’m paranoid enough that I want to get some opinions before dropping a significant sum (to me) through a web page. (In case somebody will ask, Vanguard is not my only investment(s). I’ve got money in all the traditional investment strategies.) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/2 "2015-02-09T03:53:34Z")
Don’t know anything about them, but I do really like Sharebuilder. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/3 "2015-02-09T03:57:55Z")
I’ve done it, just not recently. Over a decade ago, I closed my account at Schwab and moved all of my investments to Vanguard. The majority of what I have invested is in index funds. Note that you’re not “dropping a significant sum through a web page.” You’re going to be opening the account on the website and then either mailing in a check or doing a bank transfer. It’s reasonably safe. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/4 "2015-02-09T04:00:40Z")
Wife and I have opened several funds through [vanguard.com](http://vanguard.com). Works fine, no issues for 6+ years now. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/5 "2015-02-09T04:20:29Z")
Vanguard’s web site is excellent. I’ve been using it since 2001 with no problems. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/6 "2015-02-09T04:30:12Z")
> [@Deeg](#): > > (In case somebody will ask, Vanguard is not my only investment(s). I’ve got money in all the traditional investment strategies.) Also, I’m not sure what you mean by this. Vanguard’s not an investment. It has its own ETFs and mutual funds but you can also buy other mutual funds, stocks and bonds in your Vanguard account. There is some value in consolidating your investments at one brokerage, such as Vanguard. Larger accounts pay lower commissions and get more personal service. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/7 "2015-02-09T06:11:58Z")
I use Vanguard for a couple of Index funds, and I love the website and the mobile app. Makes it very easy to buy and sell shares of the funds without much hassle. They were also quick to get out 1099 forms. I would highly recommend them. The instant bank transfers are a great way to go. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/8 "2015-02-09T07:04:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It has its own ETFs and mutual funds but you can also buy other mutual funds, stocks and bonds in your Vanguard account. There is some value in consolidating your investments at one brokerage, such as Vanguard. Larger accounts pay lower commissions and get more personal service. _Does_ Vanguard offer brokerage services? I’ve only ever used them for index funds. ---
**Author:** ![tuesdayweld](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@tuesdayweld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tuesdayweld)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/9 "2015-02-09T10:12:49Z")
I began using Vanguard’s website to invest a significant amount of funds (to me) about 3 years ago. I have been pleased with my experience thus far. When I felt confused over ‘my strategy’ about a year and a half in I used their advisor services to reallocate - this was done via a Skype conference which worked out well. Whenever I’ve needed to speak directly with customer service it was never a frustrating experience. I recommend them. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/10 "2015-02-09T12:57:50Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > _Does_ Vanguard offer brokerage services? I’ve only ever used them for index funds. Yes, they do. I have non-Vanguard mutual funds and individual stocks in my Vanguard account. (Visa, in particular, has done nicely.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/11 "2015-02-09T13:11:48Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Vanguard’s web site is excellent. I’ve been using it since 2001 with no problems. Agreed. Happy customer since around 2005. Almost all my investments and retirement funds are through them, and I’ve done all of it through their website. I highly recommend them and their funds. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/12 "2015-02-09T17:05:26Z")
Happy online customer of Vanguard since before 2000. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/13 "2015-02-09T17:37:30Z")
My 401k is managed by Vanguard. I like the website, it’s pretty easy to use and orders have always been executed quickly and accurately. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opinions-on-using-vanguard-com-to-open-an-account/712184/14 "2015-02-09T17:40:19Z")
Thanks for the input all! I’ll be creating an account soon. I’ve got plenty of time while watching the snow fall.