Where is a good place to purchase stocks?

An investment firm that doesn't charge too much

If you want to save some real money, contact the Investors page of every company you are interested in investing. Many companies today have what is called a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP or DRiP). Moreover, many ALSO have a a "Direct Purchase Plan" through which you can purchase your very first share of stock, completely circumventing the need for a brokerage account. The fees are much lower e.g. $1 per DRP trade instead of $19.99 a trade at Etrade.

Simply buy stocks of companies you do business with. I've involved myself in the employee stock purchase plan of every company I've worked for and invested in many others that have DRPs.

Examples: Bank America, McDonald's, Merck, Pepsico, Proctor & Gamble, Regions Financial, Scana Corp, Outback steakhouse, etc.

TD Ameritrade

Try Charlse Schwab

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If you do not need a great deal of research, TD Ameritrade is excellent. $10.00 per trade. If you would like to have access to a lot of research think about Fidelity. They are a little more expensive but have a great deal of stock research. TD Ameritrade does have stock research but not as extensive.

There are other firms that I have not had any experience with. I have been happy with both the above.

Sharebuilder.com - charge considerably less than everyone else by buying shares once a week in one big block, then splits them between the clients (also allows you to own fractions of a share.... so you can still buy into ones you couldn't quite afford if you used other sharedealing services).
Minimum purchase about $4 but ideally should invest a minimum of $100, instead of with others who charge you $10 just for the commission fee and you need to invest at least $1,000 to break even quickly.

DRIP is a good way to start. Aqua America, Exxon Mobile, Southern Co.