Moved into Shankar Road, broker vs direct?

Okay, I'll be honest — just moved into my 3BHK near Shankar Road last month, and the whole process was a rollercoaster. I went with Jagdamba Associates. I'm wondering if I left money on the table. For investors, is it always better to go direct to a builder for new projects, or can brokers actually unlock better deals or inventory? Also, for resale properties, especially in areas like Vasant Kunj, does the secondary market really offer more negotiation room than new launch pricing? What's your first-hand experience with these channels?