We no longer check to see whether Telegraph.

To see our content at its best we recommend upgrading if you wish to continue using IE or using another browser such as Firefox, Safari or Google Chrome. If you are thinking of buying Royal Mail shares but have never bought shares before, you probably want to know how the process of buying and selling works — and what the costs are. Normally, in addition to the cost of the shares themselves, you pay a fee to the stockbroker each time you buy or sell.

Buying Royal Mail shares today is slightly different, however — in this instance, there is no fee to buy. This is because it is not a normal share deal, in which you buy shares from another investor, who is selling his holding.

Instead, the shares are being issued for the first time. How to buy at the last minute. However, you will pay the normal fee when you come to sell the shares. For a large holding, the fee could even be more if you choose a broker that charges a percentage fee, rather than a fixed one.

There are two ways to buy Royal Mail shares — the normal route, via a stockbroker, and a special one for this flotation. Neither will levy a charge to buy the shares, so every penny you spend will go towards a stake in the company.

Privatised Royal Mail must not be able to increase stamp prices, instead of cutting own costs. Royal Mail warns of job losses after privatisation.

Managing your shares

Wealthy investors may be snubbed in Royal Mail share flotation. Wealthy investors 'will not be guaranteed Royal Mail shares'. The special dealing service is operated via a government website, royalmailshares. If you want to sell your shares quickly, this website is probably the cheapest for small shareholdings.

It will charge a special reduced rate of 0. Where do you expect the Royal Mail share price to finish on the first day's trading? These fees are calculated on the basis of the value of the shares at the time you sell, not what you paid for them. If you use a normal stockbroker rather than the government service, you will pay nothing to buy the shares but dealing costs to sell will vary. We have picked out three of the cheapest and only those that carry no other annual charges for shares held outside an Isa.

Some charge an ongoing fee for holding shares in an Isa. At Hagreaves Lansdown, for example, this is 0. There is more on stockbrokers' charges in our story The cheapest ways to invest in shares. Order a guide from a broker on the Royal Mail IPO. Howard Marks, an Oxford University graduate turned drug smuggler, made millions.

Now he eagerly awaits royalty cheques. Paul Daniels wasted too much on Ferraris but has made a fortune on his home - despite the flood. Following George Osborne's announcement of the Budget, The Telegraph looks at the numbers on the UK's economy and financial health.

George Osborne should simply abandon changes that will reduce incentives to save and create yet more uncertainty.

A light-hearted quiz about the gaping maw of financial misery that perpetually threatens to devour us all. Accessibility links Skip to article Skip to navigation. Friday 16 June James Bartholomew The real reason stock markets plunged in January. William Littlewood China in crisis? Another credit crunch in the West is far more likely. Andrew Oxlade Time to panic? No, follow the investment rulebook.

James Anderson This is why I'm worried for investors in the FTSE There is more than one way to buy and sell. All you need to know about the Royal Mail float. The kitchen coup — how cash shifted the balance of power over household chores.

Royal Mail: I bought my shares on the government website. How do I sell? - Telegraph

The inspector calls — and house prices jump. How the Ofsted effect could add thousands to the value of your house or send it sliding. George Osborne's speech in charts. Just stop tampering with pensions, Chancellor. How much should you be panicking about your finances? More people in their 70s in higher tax bracket than those in their thirties. HOME Finance Financial Crisis Debt Crisis Live Markets Banks and Finance City Diary.

Economics Transport Media and Telecoms Energy Retail News. Personal Finance Your Business Investing Savings Student Finance Jobs Job Search. Companies China business Money Deals Money Transfers Comment Alex Find an IFA. Contact us Privacy and Cookies Advertising Fantasy Football Tickets Announcements Reader Prints. Follow Us Apps Epaper Expat Promotions Subscriber Syndication.