I was scared to buy too. And sure enough, mine has problems.
I think what I learned from this experience is always buy from Apple if you can. This way you can get the machine switched if it's defective. If you buy from another retailer Apple won't allow this.
I'd go buy a different brand of laptop, but there really is nothing better for what I need the mbp for. So I'll just have to hope that the next one I get is better.