Hello,
New on bitcointalk, not new to BTC, registered actually for one matter but started browsing forums.
Kraken is great exchange, the only one which looks, feels and acts professional towards user. Their verification system IS verification system not a bunch of unrealistic expectations and it went really smooth up to Tier 3 (whole procces took around 30 minutes). Beside that, they have (for me, and for now) the best trading system bulid-in exchange, few types of order but i am mainly satisfied with Stop Loss/Take Profit and ability to specify how long order will be valid, this is the best exchange when You want to play a little, also the most trusted as i think.
Maybe i do sound a little like advertisement agent for them but not only I say this. Kraken has a lot of potential and with growing volume it can be much much better. The only hiccup is small LTC volume (initially i loaded my LTC there because i do not trust that much in btc-e, but it's impossible to trade this alt there - to low volume)
From the other side - i would never go into bitstamp, they KYC is grotesque
Hope it helps!