Receiving Pins after using Travel Agent?

[Bunnyteef]

In May 2012 we went to Disney for our first time. We used a Disney Travel Agent. I read all of these things about receiving pins or having pins assigned to you. How does that work if you went through a travel agent? Can they check? Do they check? They advertise that they do, but has anyone ever had one come back with a better discount? I just wonder what the benefit is over booking it yourself. The only thing I can see so far is I am able to book farther out. The Disney site doesn't seem to let me go in to 2014...because of the rates possibly? This isn't my first time to the rodeo...but it's still only my 2nd so any tips would be appreciated.

Thank You!