In reply to KTS915.

I'm not actually aware of any theme authors who say the same thing about theme options pages. I feel pretty sure there are some. Now, I do know many theme authors who simply don't know how to utilize the customizer, some of whom I'm now teaching.

Sarah wrote this article and calls using the customizer a plus. Therefore, it is a plus. This is an entirely an opinion of hers. She made no claims otherwise.

Anyway, I was simply making my case for the customizer. If you have some real issues with the customizer, have you brought these issues up on Trac? The customizer is here to stay whether you or I like it. It's the core-supported way to do theme options. The only way we make that better is by reporting issues on Trac, bringing things up in team meetings, and leaving notes on the Make blogs.