What are some viable, reputable alternatives to CEX?
I would look at some of the group buys where they host the machines for you, and you get a share of the hash. I have a few shares with DZ.
I have shares on 2 different group buys on knc jupiter miners. So far, my experience has been a bit negative. On one of the group buys, the organizer, who will remain nameless here, lost power and internet for over 4 days. That's 4 days of lost income for me. The organizer didn't lose anything, because he gets his cut before he pays out. And by the way, he also reneged on his promised 3% fee, a week into the actual mining, he jacked it up to 7% claiming high electricity cost!
I paid over 2 BTC for my shares in the group buys and I have to say that I will never ROI, I will consider myself lucky if I ever get 1 BTC over the life of the group buy (12 month). After 12 month is up, the miners will be sold and the money split over the share=holders.
Had I know about cex.io, I would never have gone with the group buys. Yes, you pay a premium with cex, but there are clear advantages, such as INSTANT hashing power, REDEEMABLE hardware, LIQUIDITY, etc.... Group buys are only good for the organizers, share-holders get the crumbs.