I’m re-checking my broker mix and trying to put a number on support, not just spreads. My plan is simple: real cost per round turn = spread + commission + swap − any cashback. Then I score support by how fast they reply, how long it takes to fix things, and whether they actually correct bad fills or account errors.
For those trading with IG, what’s your actual net cost per lot on EURUSD or XAUUSD after rebates? And when you open tickets, how long to first response and full resolution during London or New York hours? If you ran this kind of calculation, did IG still make sense for you, or did you pick a cheaper broker plus community help instead?
Please share numbers by symbol and account type if you can.
IG support is decent cost is higher after rebates
Cheaper broker plus community help beats IG for me
Run a simple cost sheet. Pick two symbols you trade most. For each broker record average spread, commission per lot, typical swap and your cashback. Convert to a pip value per round turn. On EURUSD I got IG at about 1.2 pips net while another broker sat near 0.9 pips. Support matters, but I only pay more if they actually solve problems fast. Track first reply time, resolution time, and whether they adjusted bad fills. If IG does not clear tickets in one day, I switch.
Test it live for two weeks with small size. Trade your normal hours and submit at least two tickets. One billing question and one platform issue. Log first reply time, final resolution, and any trade adjustment. My last run showed IG chat answered in under five minutes, but the final fix took a day. Net cost on EURUSD was roughly 1.1 pips after cashback. That was fine for swing trades, not for fast scalps.
I like IG support during London hours. Chat responds fast and they usually follow up by email.
Costs are a bit higher for me even with cashback. Works fine for swing entries, less for scalps.
I only pay extra if they fix platform problems quickly.
For me IG was 1.0 to 1.2 pips net on EURUSD.
Did this last quarter.
I tracked five withdrawals, six tickets, and the net cost per lot on EURUSD and XAUUSD. IG solved all tickets but two needed escalation and took over one day. Average net cost was about 1.1 pips on EURUSD and around 30 cents per lot on gold after cashback.
I stayed with a cheaper broker for scalps and kept IG for news hedges and indices. Support is good, but I only pay up when it saves time.