I think it is pretty obvious 99% of the time when, as zrs suggests, agents just don't have the best information that those agents simply do not care what kind of information they give you. Whether or not that is lying, it is a horrible practice that goes on way too much. So yes, fine, have it your way: they rarely purposely lie, but at least consider the fact that they are being lazy and/or careless at their job. They are in the dark because that is where they want to be.