Full service brokers, in this day and age of low cost mutual funds and discount brokers, are really nothing more than machines for ripping off retail investors.
Joel SpolskyNever put yourself in a position that will put yourself at risk if you make the wrong decision. We spent cash on everything. It's fashionable to make 'bet the company' decisions, but don't do it.
Joel SpolskyThe secret of Big Macs is that they're not very good, but every one is not very good in exactly the same way.
Joel Spolsky