That was the trend I saw as well. The quoted price online are 50-100 dollars less expensive than given my travel agents, who also coerce you to buy on the spot. The reality is their tickets are the same as online with the addition of booking fees. I recently bought a ticket from cheapoair without a problem. Try Skyscanner.net, which probably has the best deals possible. If you're unsure about dates and unforeseen changes, you can also buy insurance for additional $50 or so dollars. Even if you buy from travel agents, its nearly impossible to change the dates without coughing up $200-$300 dollars. Of course, you have to be educated about the transit airports and baggage allowance. 

That brings to the point - why are we buying tickets from travel agents in the first place if they cannot match the deal online?