Of course it's NOT a free service.Come on, of course it's a free service.
Getting up in the morning takes time an effort, would you describe that as not free? And how would you find a job without producing a cv and allocating time for interviews?
And why would you apply for a job that you aren't interested in, no matter how much pestering you get from an agent?
You're right that most recruitment agencies - and estate agents - don't give you as much feedback as they should. Like all things in life, if you have an agent which doesn't give you the service you think they should then the answer is simple; change your agent and find one that does.
Travel costs, time off work on holiday, hours spent on online tests etc. etc. etc.
And in return Radio Silence.