Yes, this is standard.
I got burned really bad by Coinbase, I ordered my Bitcoin a couple days before the China announcement, and then they withdraw the funds literally HOURS before the announcement hit. So all I could do is watch the value of Bitcoins plummet, while they had my money and I didn't have any bitcoins. *so couldn't sell to mitigate my losses* Then when it hit $500 and started bouncing back, I tried to buy more while the price was low, and they wouldn't let me because my previous transaction hadn't finished yet. *despite them taking the money out of my bank account days earlier* So not only did I miss a chance to sell after the announcement *and buy coins a few days later at a lower price therefore doubling the amount of coins I had*, I couldn't even buy coins later at the lower price with a new transaction. Then when I finally was able to buy coins again *by this point they were up to $850 again*, they cancelled my second transaction due to "High Risk" two days after they had already taken the money out of my bank account. *facepalm*
So far my decision to use Coinbase has cost me $4,000 in losses *which will only grow higher if Bitcoin rises in value*, I hesitate to recommend them to anybody.
Michael,
Sorry to hear this, I have also experienced something similar to this. Not the "High Risk" deal though, if that had happened that's where I would have lost my shit for good and last bit of patience and a total movement of all btc to another wallet would have happened. I've missed out on to many opportunities to buy low, sell high and build my qty of coin.
Highly Frustrating!
I've been looking into CampBX.com and "I think" (not 100% sure, yet) that your available funds stay in your account online for immediate use. Would be a Happy Boy if this was the case, I'd be able to trade like I want to. $$$
Sent them an email to confirm this, will post the reply once I get it.