FWIW, I have bought a total of 4 HU's off of ebay and 3 sets of speakers. If you buy from businesses with good feedback then what is the difference rather than dealing with crutchfield?? I agree that their customer service is good, but I'd rather pay $60 or $70 less personally. Also, it's nice to get the harness and dash kit at the same time, but with any competence level you can search and buy that stuff on ebay also and still save quite a bit of money.
Of the 4 HU's I have bought off of ebay, 3 have been perfect units, as described, brand new and in the box, and shipped quickly. 1 was a store demo (supposed to be new) and the box was damaged. I contacted the company and they apologized, sent me a pre-paid shipping label so I could send it back, and they sent me the brand new head unit I ordered all with only about a 5 day turn-around.
Buy from wherever you feel most comfortable by all means, but there is a good number of posters on this board with great experiences and NONE with bad.