I've ridden SPD's (long ago), traditional eggbeaters in several styles, Speedplays, Looks and those eggbeater Candy's you've got now, and I regret to tell you the Candy's were the worst for clipping in. Seems like I was always cursing them starting through an intersection. They're not bad pedals; functionally they are just like eggbeaters, but I always found them problematic. The cleat is brass, and although you cannot adjust the pedals the cleat may get smoother. One tip I would advise would be to buy the metal shim (NOT the plastic one that came with the pedals) from Crank Brothers, as it will protect the sole of your shoes, and extend the cleat down a little and maybe make it easier to clip in.

An afterthought...there is one adjustment you can make to eggbeaters cleats, and that is release angle. It's unlikely but it could make a slight difference for clipping in, you may want to fiddle with that. It involves switching the cleats between the shoes; check the manual.

If it really bothered you, you could be that careful, but to some it really isn't that big a deal. You fall, you laugh, you get up and it teaches you. I fell...twice or maybe more...because I slowed down to talk to someone not riding or I was just doing something goofy. But I believe it made clipping in and out extremely natural. I wonder how many of that quarter of respondents are the riders you see on the club rides who nervously unclip 50 yds before they have to come to a stop.

And saying "everyone falls" is not inane hyperbole. Just like saying "everyone loves ice cream" isn't either.