Monday Morning Conversation: Certifications. Got Certs?

I've always been of the impression that Certs will definitely help you get an interview if someone is looking for that particular skill.  I have even heard people tell me that they have selected one person over another because they had a certain Cert.

As a consultant it is expected that I have Certs for the technologies I work with.  Most partners are now requiring that people who sell and implement their technologies have a certain number of people in the company certified. 

So who really needs certifications?   What do the customers think?  Is it an advantage to have a Cert over someone that doesn't?