Thanks so much for the thread!  Here's my noob question.  I've been trying to get on coinbase with no luck, the system says it's overloaded. The same is true for Kraken, I'm all signed up but when it comes to getting authenticated it says the system is overloaded. 

I want to buy some Ethereum and some BTC, keep some and also do some trading for other altcoins but find myself locked out for now.  This has been going on for over a week.

Any suggestions on a safe way to get some of those two coins and then proceed with being able to trade with them would really be appreciated.

Thanks again!