BitInstant>ZipZap>? No coins after 48 hours, no response after 24 hours

[BitcoinBabyNeedsBib]

I have used BitInstant successfully several times in the past with no problem.  I'm currently having problem and haven't received response to customer support email after 24 hours (except for the automated acknowledgment email).  I don't know what to do.  Any help is much appreciated.

On 2013-06-18 at 14:34 PDT (UTC-7) I received a payment confirmation email from ZipZap saying the following:

Amount to Pay: $143.95
Account Number: 245358619

Your ZipZap payment has been successfully processed and the merchant has been notified to complete your order. Please keep this email for your records.

Thank you for using ZipZap, the Global Cash Transaction Network.

After 24 hours I received no bitcoins in my wallet, and no communication from BitInstant.  I then sent an email to BitInstant customer support, and I received the automated confirmation email, but it has been over 24 hours now and no response from BitInstant.  It has been over 48 hours since I received the ZipZap payment confirmation and still no bitcoins in my wallet.

As I have done several times in the past, the address I specified for the bitcoins to be sent to is my bitcoin wallet address.  As always, I:

• Have the most up-to-date bitcoin wallet software
• Copy and pasted my wallet address to avoid typos
• Made sure my wallet is synced up-to-date

I just now searched my wallet address on blockchain.info and there is no record of this recent transaction.

I am frustrated and don't know what to do.  Any help is much appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[legitnick]

Bitinstant is suspected of selective scamming. If I were you never deal with them again.

[BitcoinBabyNeedsBib]

Seriously!?  Why is this not more publicly known???

[everybodyclapyohands]

They had this problem recently and it was widespread.  A lot of complaints, but in the end AFAIK we all got our coins.  Keep contacting customer service, and use twitter if you have to.  They have terrible attitudes and give you a lot of canned BS, but in the end you will get your coins.  It's just a glitch where their system isn't able to buy the coins immediately and then it causes a bad ripple effect.

[BitcoinBabyNeedsBib]

Thanks for the info, I just tweeted and sent another email. 

How long did it take for you all who had problems to eventually get your bitcoins?  And with this kind of customer service, I am reluctant to ever use BitInstant again; what are the "industry standard" alternatives that have a good track record of being reliable?  Thanks.

[everybodyclapyohands]

About 72 hours from initial payment

For instant buying, it's basically BitInstant and local bitcoins.  However if you use coinbase.com you can buy at current market rate but won't get for a few days until it clears from your bank.

[legitnick]

Everytime someone gets scammed by Bitinstant they should report it to police. Once enough reports come in they have to do something.

[FLASHMAN00]

I been using bitinstant for a year now, and I never had 1 problem. I never knew that they scam people in the past.

[Singlebyte]

Places to complain about these scammers:

FTC

https://econsumer.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

Google+ community where people who would like to join together to get a lawsuit going can organize.

https://plus.google.com/communities/112177264311909940483

BBB

http://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/business-reviews/payment-processing-service/bitinstant-llc-in-brooklyn-ny-139331

Reddit

http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/1bzo49/do_not_use_bitinstant/

RipOffReport.com

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Search/bitinstant.aspx

NY Small Claims

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/publications/publications_small_claims.shtml

[BitcoinBabyNeedsBib]

For instant buying, it's basically BitInstant and local bitcoins.  However if you use coinbase.com you can buy at current market rate but won't get for a few days until it clears from your bank.

Sorry could you clarify?  "local bitcoins"?  And what about MtGox?  Isn't that an alternative to BitInstant?  If so, does it have a good reputation?  Thanks.

[baillou2]

I've had good experiences with Bitinstant up until they launched their Beta website. Since then they've been in shambles.
I don't think they're malicious in any way, but they are up shiz creek at the moment. I wouldn't deal with them at all until the word in the ether turns a little more positive.

[BitcoinBabyNeedsBib]

Update: After sending more emails, I finally received a response and got my bitcoins within 15 minutes.

Bump to my question about alternatives.