Shep, there is always an issue with bare root starts (not bulbs, but you already knew that) regardless if they are clematis or some other plant. There is far too much variability in harvest and storage conditions to keep the plants happy uniformly. Some will be OK, others never do a thing.

But......and it's a big but.......if you get viable starts, they can be a good deal and quite inexpensive. And sometimes you can find some pretty unique choices mixed in with the dregs. My suggestion for any type of bare root starts - and especially for clems - is to pot them up ASAP and grow them on before planting out in the garden. This gives them an opportunity to properly wake up from dormancy and develop a healthy root system before facing the cruel outside world. I'd suggest at the least a 1G nursery pot and a high quality potting soil (not garden dirt) and let them grow on until fall before planting out. Ideally, you want the root system to properly fill that pot before planting. And be sure to plant the starts at a proper depth - typically about 4" above the root crown.

This is a pretty well-recommended procedure for any clematis that is purchased or received in anything less than a gallon-sized container - pot up and grow on.

I completely agree.

Also, don't feel too bad if they don't grow. Many are dead already when you buy them.

Personally, I'd rather pay ten or fifteen for a gallon pot than five for a package and risk it being dead and have to baby it along...

I meant to say that I agreed with Gardengal :)

Welcome to the obsession, Shepherd. :)
Bareroots from a box could be tricky, but it can be done, and they are definitely cheap. Your friend is right, give them time, be patient. Sometimes it takes even longer than a month. The potting up Gardengal mentioned never worked for me. The kids will knock it over, the squirrels will dig them up (for some reason pots on the front porch are extremely attractive to them), or I will forget to water. I planted several in the ground, just like you did, and they grew for me just fine. But they will take time - it might be a few years before they are good and established and blooming. Also, be prepared that the contents might not be what it says they are on the box. I bought a box once that claimed to have two Marmori clematis. Well, one of them was Marmori, the other one turned out to be Autumn Joy. I didn't have Autumn Joy so it worked out fine. But you might not be as lucky and end up with something you didn't really want. Just be prepared. Good luck!
Grow

You could dig up the root to see if it still looks good. If yes, then pot it up as gardengal48 suggested, then sink the pot directly into the ground so that the roots stay cool, gets rained on, etc. Venosa Violacea is beautiful.

About 12 years ago I got a multipack of 'Jackmanii' rootings.
I ended up with 2 Jackmanii clematis and 2 bare rooted Mustang grape plants!
They look very much alike when they are tiny and I'm sure it was an honest mistake...
but it just goes to show that you can never be sure what kind of plant you are buying.