As others have hinted, this is absolutely untrue. They can certainly tell you if the proper class inventory ("R" I think) is available whether you have a reservation or not. They cannot, however, hold that inventory for you until it the flight is ticketed and paid for, IIRC. That might have been the source of the apparent miscommunication between you and the res agent. Flyertalk Rule #1 -- if you don't like what you hear, hang up and call back again.

Most of your other complaints probably have at least some validity though...