so I mailed in my IRA application w/TOA form to TIAA a week ago

[magical thyme]

Thursday. 7 days later, still not received. Snow in Mass has delayed delivery. BS -- the Boston post office was closed 1 day back in January for the blizzard that missed Boston and creamed the coast of Maine. We're a 4 hour drive from Boston, so I'm just not buying it.

Looked at the calendar and started to sweat bullets because I need to make my selection and give instructions by March 6, and already I've lost a couple weeks waiting to get the application, fill it out and mail it back.

So I called Vanguard. Turns out due to the amount involved I qualify for "concierge" service, meaning they will take my application over the phone, fill it all in online for me, give me a username and password to check and confirm the information, along with full instructions how to have HP make out the check. Immediate, real time set up for the rollover.

Since it was 7:50 and they close at 8, I told him not to bother transferring me to concierge, since that's unfair to them. Instead I got the direct phone # to their concierge service. I will call them next Wednesday when I have all day and get it all taken care of for me.

Their net asset ratios are incredibly low. It's enough money to waive any account fees, and I'll do it all online which also waives any fees. No sales fees.

[elleng]

1. Good work!

I understand they do very well, tho I'm not with them. And seems their customer service is good too.

[magical thyme]

2. it's the company policies and procedures that make a huge difference

where I work, IRA applications *must* be on paper and rollovers must have asset transfer paperwork as well. And they have really archaic policies and procedures, old, old software that is not user friendly and opens the doors to more mistakes. If you have a big enough investment -- a lot bigger than mine -- you'll get help.