Then you'll be pleased to know that I booked a ticket today at $3,098 ex-MEL using no other than my local FrightCentre! They loved me - I told them exactly what I wanted with flexibility limits on each segment and all up I spent about 30 mins total interaction across two emails and one call before ticketing.
I took some interest as to their cost and apparently FC is making no more than 5% on all ex-AUS fares. On a $3100 fare, IMHO that's losing money on most customers that have no idea what they want. But clearly VA (and evidently VS) are dumping biz fares on market very cheaply to fill some seats within short-medium departure dates. And during peak season to the Northern Hemisphere as well. VA's most recent financial performance commentary does not point to poor premium international yield however this may prove a new trend going forward if this fire sale is anything to go by.