I work with independent developers, many of whom write bespoke software for individual customers. I encounter them saying "the customer is always right" all th

I work with independent developers, many of whom write bespoke software for individual customers. I encounter them saying "the customer is always right" all the time, and it drives me mad. It seems to me like there's a willingness to do whatever they dream up, regardless of sanity, with no push back. Ultimately the customer gets crap that doesn't work (By Design) and they are unhappy. IMO part of the reason the customer is hiring me is for my experience, judgement and skills, not just to "implement their vision". They are not qualified to design the database, design the UI and so on. Of course they are there to articulate the goals. They prioritise this over that, they need this output and so on. They determine the platform (its no good me writing for Mac if they have a Windows). Its my job to build deliver those goals. To build something coherent, intuitive, that works, that is performant, that is maintainable and so on. Obviously pick your battles. But be aware you will be visually judged by more that the check-writer. All his staff will be happy to complain about the crap, even when he specified it. (I had one customer insist on an outdated ugly font. I gave them a system where the user could choose the font.) Yes, the customer is sometimes right, and usually important, but hiding behind the "always right" moniker bugs me. (quick anecdote - the guy who wanted to log in by placing their hand on the monitor - the customer is always right, right?)