Well at least I feel vindicated about my decision NOT to get Sims 3 until it's at least at the same level as Sims 2. 

My kids (young adults) have been trying to encourage me to get the game since its been released.  I told the kids that the game isn't all its cracked up to be.  Told them of the the problems that people like you all have reported and the low quality reports.  The kids are still trying to encourage me to get the game, saying that I'm just stubborn and attached to all my mods and CC from Sims 2.  I even tried proving my point by showing them the difference between a Sims 2 (vanilla sim) and a Sims 3 sim.  There's still no comparison, the sims 2 sim is much better looking even without CC to help her out.

Now that I read the report here that EA isn't allowing CC, that clinches the deal for me.  If they think I want to keep buying CC from them after spending tons on their game to begin with, they'll be disappointed in me as a customer.  It's sounding more and more to me that they want to be just like the TSR... won't be surprised if EA and TSR get together.