Not a horror story, but when I decided to try clipless I bought the
Forte Campus Pedals at Performance. I figured the same thing: for a quick ride I could wear sneaks without worrying about clipping in.
Funny thing...I
never (not once) rode the bike in sneaks. It was no more trouble to put on my mtb shoes and clip in.
The next time I needed pedals, I went with the Shimano 540, and have no regrets. I have never wished that I had a platform side.
Just sayin'...