In reply to Dominicandave:
> I've spoken to several agents over the past week, using the virtual chat thing they all have now, and every day I've been online with them I am able to trump their own search results with lower prices than they are able to find,
Totally agree, most of these companies/travel agents need to get to grips and wise up that in today's world the customer can do exactly what they are doing and contact the exact same people to find the cheapest flights. I am amazed that some of these travel agents keep trading.
I used a well known travel agent the other year to find a multi city ticket taking in Manchester - London - Singapore - Perth - Ayres Rock - Cairns - Sydney - Hong Kong - Delhi - Manchester. The best quote they gave to me was good approx £1300 inc taxes (nearly purchased it there and then). However I beat it by phoning British Airways direct who searched their systems and partner airlines (One World alliance) I ended up paying less than £1100 including taxes for the exact same dates and times.