I always thank them for finding the option, then nicely request that they help me find a better option.

During the last several months, IME many EP-desk agents are either unable or unwilling to find better options. (What I mean is that they check the one obvious non-stop, report that it's "Sold Out", and then they won't bother to check any non-obvious alternatives.)

"Sold Out" seems to be among their favorite words nowadays. Award seat to London next November? "Sold out" ... which really means that the one obvious non-stop has no award inventory. Discount Business Class to Rome in August? The whole plane is "Sold Out" ... which means the one AA flight a day has no inventory but they can't be bothered to check any partners. Seat on a flight which is about to be cancelled due to weather (therefore AA has zeroed out the inventory even though only 20 passengers are on the plane?) "Sold Out". It's just way easier to say "Sold Out" then to search for alternative routings.

Therefore I hafta find options on my own then call the EP desk to get it booked. A subscription to ExpertFlyer is invaluable in the reality of today's EXP world.