FYI All,
I was one of the first ones to jump on the Alpha bandwagon several months ago and I paid my 30% via paypal.
Anyway, after seeing the way they stopped providing updates, the way they treat paying customers, and the shady way they act, I called my credit card a couple of weeks ago and initiated a charge back.

Got a call from my credit card last night and they said that they've attempted to contact Alpha and haven't had any responses, therefore the money has been yanked and I've been fully credited.  Screw them and their no refund after 5 months baloney.

If you've paid by credit card, there is still hope.  If you paid a deposit by other means, I wish you luck.  Alpha is a fraud.  We expected them to ship highly advanced scrypt miners and they can't even get the phone fixed.