Lynn -- Thanks for your note. You write that "the title of your article asks the question 'Can Low Fees Guarantee Broker Success?' In your article, you state that discount brokerage has not had much impact, presumably on the lowering of fees. I have to agree." Fair enough. Then you also accept, I hope, that my original article was not a thundering defense of the status quo, but instead a look at the real world and why it works the way it does. "The reason" for the lack of discounter impact, you suggest, is not "because consumers find discounted programs lacking. More likely it is because there just aren't that many of us out there yet." There are, however, a number of discounters out there. They are in every market I would bet. You say, as an example, that you have a franchise with more than 130 franchisees, which -- in your words -- have a "significant impact" in various markets. Surely 130 franchisee, many with significant marketplace impact, mean that consumers have a choice, that discount services are widely available, and that your ability to compete is not constrained. You write, "In our market, commissions have come down. We believe this is a direct result of the substantial business we do..." Self-promotion aside, you surely recognize that commission rates are influenced by a range of factors, including marketplace competition, interest rates, local economic changes, company size, etc. And yet you say also say that, "discount brokerage has not had much impact, presumably on the lowering of fees." I'm not sure which argument you prefer to make, as the two you present are self-contradictory. As I read your second posting you argue that use of the term "discount" is somehow unfair. I disagree. There are huge numbers of brokers and salespeople. An individual broker or salesperson must stand out from what marketers call the "clutter" of competition to obtain public notice and, hopefully, business. You can stand out by advertising, developing an image, having a great web presence, marketing to your local community, etc. You can also stand out on the basis of price. I believe the term "discount" is enormously powerful, thus I see nothing prejorative about it. It is merely another way to get business, not better or worse than any other approach. Firms such as Wal-Mart and Amazon have done fairly well with a discount identity, legal clinics can be seen as discounters, and H&R Bloch is surely less expensive then most CPAs. All the best. Peter