Great, could you explain to me as a retail investor without direct access to the exchanges how to place an ALO order and to buy or sell without enriching HFT shops? (Hint: you can't.)
With a retail broker it's moot - they charge you a flat $8/trade regardless of whether you add or remove liquidity. You never collect rebates or pay to take liquidity.
You can still choose not to cross the spread with a retail broker. Just place limit orders on the right side of the spread.
Most retail traders actually get slightly (insignificantly) better prices for liquidity taking orders through price improvement at the wholesaler. Retail traders can also send post-only orders and participate in exchange the rebate/fee program on Interactive Brokers.
http://usequities.nyx.com/markets/nyse-arca-equities/order-t...