Alot of people ask for logo's thinking the designer is reading there minds before they ask for the design. I think they should answer the following questions first, as for the designers, a questionaire like this will help them in the direction they should go and for the client, it helps them ask themselves serious questions about the business vision. I have also appended the same as word file.

LOGO DESIGN QUESTIONNAIRE

1. What is the exact name you would like used in your logo design?

2. Are there any acceptable abbreviations of the above? If so, detail.

3. What (if any) other words would you like in your logo?

4. What is your mission statement, slogan or motto? Do you want that included in the design?

5. What is your projected audience or demographic?

6. What is the nature of your business?

7. Who are your competitors?

8. What makes you different from your competitors

9. What logos have you seen that you like? (URLs if possible)

10. What logos have you seen that you dislike?

11. What feel or style would you like to convey with your logo?

12. What colors do you like or expect?

13. What colors do you dislike or would like not used?

14. Any additional comments?

i totally agree with you, most clients just want magic out of the designer with even wanting to give the detailed briefing they ought to and that on their part, they are ready to criticize whatever you present to them as long as it does not suit them, are we magicians?