Amazing that so many have had problems with lager yeasts since I had the same thing happen about a month ago. Did a starter of Wyeast 2112 California Lager and after 3 days, nothing. Took the empty pack back to show the the pouch was broken and everything mixed. But even letting the pack set for 3 hrs prior to pitching into the starter, it hardly swelled at all. The shop credited it no problem. I planned on making a california common and a scottish ale and left the starter setting. Put the scottish ale to work with a liquid vial of yeast that a local brewery users and it was fine without making a starter. 5 days later, boom, the 2112 started churning and going like a starter should. I took my california common ingredients and made another beer. Now I probably need to tell the shop the yeast finally did its thing and pay them back.