Not quite good enough

I dropped in at a Flight Centre nearby to enquire about ticket costs and travel options to New Zealand, possibly stopping off in Australia. The agent asked me to email her the details, which I did. She stressed that I should decide quickly as the less expensive seats were going fast. After a week I had heard nothing, so I called in personally again and tactfully asked if the agent had received my email. She said "yes" but apologised as she had been very busy.

After her eventual email reply I followed with a second email asking specific questions about costs of different routes. I only received a reply 12 (twelve) days later, with quotes, and with another apology about having had a "very challenging" couple of weeks. This after being advised to move quickly.

A week into the 12 days I decided to move more quickly, with another travel agent. Within 2 days I had a quote, seats booked and insurance.