after running with traditional running shoes for years, i switched to nike free run's back in october of 2012. after those were too destroyed to use, i tried a pair of vibrams and developed plantar fasciitis in both feet :/
i think it was a case of doing too much too quickly, though. as others have mentioned, the shoes are great for helping your posture, both while running and not. i switched back to free runs for about a year, and decided to give minimalist shoes another try, so i bought a pair of new balance minimus trails and LOVE them.
if you decide to get into minimalist running, the main thing is to take it slow so you don't hurt yourself. the day i bought those minimus', i ran 4 miles (trail), and after a couple weeks had gone by, i was running 10+ miles, 5 days a week in them.
i will mention, however, that i think shoes of this type are best when used on a softer surface, ie. treadmill, grass, trail. i've ran in them on asphalt a few times, but it's not nearly as enjoyable and my feet hurt more the next day.
just my $.02