Conclusion: In a brief, short selling sale means an investor borrows shares, sells them and must eventually return the same shares (cover). Profit (or loss) is made on the difference between the prices at which the shares are borrowed compared to when they are returned. An investor makes money only when a shorted security falls in value. A broker, however, is not similar to a DP. A broker is a member of the stock exchange and he buys and sells shares for his clients and for himself. A DP, on the other hand, gives you an account where you can hold those shares. To get a list of the registered DPs, visit the NSDL and CDSL Web sites. The most common way to buy and sell shares is by using an online broking service or a full service broker. When shares are first put on the market, you can buy them via a prospectus. You can also buy through an employee share scheme, or invest indirectly through a managed fund.