Exactly.
If you're in it, just to get paid..... you'll be out of business before too long.
If you're just gonna be someone's doormat.... let the next guy do it, unless you're really hurting for money.
Sure, some bad ones slip through and go out the door, but to already know it and just give up makes no sense... especially if like you said, you're capable of doing better.
Don't let the customer dictate YOUR reputation....
Only you can be accountable for your actions and to pass the blame onto the customer tells me something just isn't working on your end.
Even with this being in the totally 'Open Forums'... you could still post up your clients requests, the logo, colors and secondary copy and ask for real help, instead of just lowering your standards and taking a chance of not returning due to lack of customers from a bad reputation.
Try to remember this and word it any way you want...... it takes a long-long time to build a good reputation, but it only takes one lousy job or pissed off customer to ruin what you've spent years or decades on building.
I'm not trying to be a smart-ass or pain in the neck... I'm trying to get you riled up enough so you take a fighting stance towards your own career. Believe me... it works if you fight for your own integrity and don't sell yourself short.
There are dozens of ways to tell your clients they're full of chit or have chit taste, but you have to be tactful. Here on s101, we don't have to wear the kids gloves.... we tell it like it is , so you learn better and faster.