Solicit references from friends and family who know your desires and from travelers whose tastes and judgment are similar to yours. Ask how they use their travel agent and in what capacity. Ask the secretaries where you work for recommendations. Note that most people will recommend a particular agent-don't assume that every agent who works at that agent's travel agency is as good. Don't be afraid to ask for the recommended agent by name.
Most people tend to use the travel agent that is closest to where they work or live.
If you don't like the service you're getting, try a different agent. Even if you need an agent only to write a ticket you've booked yourself, it helps to have one with whom you can communicate. Be aware that travel agents specialize and that specialties focus on either a type of customer or type of travel. The major areas of specialization are business and leisure travel. While every accredited agency has the authority to book any kind of travel, leisure agencies specialize in cruises, charters, low airfares, or up-scale resorts.