As a web designer I can tell you that templates are great and that there is no real reason not to use them. It is all a matter of your specific needs.
In the beginning of the web originality of the web design was really important to people. as a result we got zillions of different user interfaces and each time you went to a website you had to "learn" how to use it.
Personally, and I can't prove it, I think that blogs did the change. blogs where template oriented and people realized that what people really want is interesting content. the design is secondary. there are example to websites with horrific design that are very successful and vice versa.
As the use of templates evolved so did the quality of the templates. I will not add a link so you will believe my answer is objective, but there are great template websites out there.
If your website is standard don't waist money or time on design just select one of the great thousands of template out there and focus on the content of your website.
cheers :)