I used to have similar trading troubles as you described in your post. There is some good information in Brokerage and Trading Tools thread on this forum. Based on contributors comments there, I opened IB account and transferred most assets to that account. Now placing orders is easy.
Thanks, Auzie, might look into that later. For now, my new account enables trading but didn't insulate me from gains tax which the newest should do. I don't understand the delay in transfer for these two assets, though. Hoping timing will not be too critical ... :crying: