The quarterly fee times 4 is still cheaper than doing two Norbert's Gambit transactions at TD Waterhouse (assuming one doesn't have enough savings to qualify for reduced TD Waterhouse pricing), which is VERY convenient for people who invest relatively small amounts regularly rather than converting big lump sums of money a couple times a year. (canadiancapitalist.com)
They are known to settle with insurance companies and for big lump sums (yellowpages.com)
Say you want to pay off the remainder of your student loan debt with a big lump sum payment. (credible.com)