The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday, March 31, edition that it is a basic rule of investing that do-it-yourselfers get a better deal than people who buy through an adviser or sales person. The Globe's Rob Carrick writes that still, it is striking to see how people buying guaranteed investment certificates get abused when they do their transaction in a bank branch. Expect rates that are dramatically lower than the same bank is offering to clients who buy GICs through the in-house on-line brokerage. One of the big banks has a posted rate of 1.5 per cent for a long-term, non-redeemable GIC on its website. A similar GIC from the same bank's on-line brokerage is available with a yield of 2.6 per cent. The problem with buying your GICs through an on-line broker, according to Mr. Carrick, is that you might be subject to account maintenance fees, inactivity or administrative fees if your balance is below $15,000 to $20,000. Mr. Carrick notes that some of the highest rates are available from Home Capital Group's Oaken Financial, which deals directly with investors and not through brokers. Oaken's five-year rate in late March was 3.25 per cent. Oaken GICs are covered by Canada Deposit Insurance Corp.