Prospective buyer beware

After making enquiry for a vehicle and waiting for vehicle to become available to see and test drive for a week, we were informed the vehicle had been sold by another agent. The agent dealing with our enquiry did not advise that another agent had not only completed an OTP but had taken a deposit on this vehicle prior. Why was this not communicated to us during the week whilst waiting. Why too did our agent not inform us that we could have completed an OTP or made a deposit either. This is the second occasion with this company that this has occurred; the first occasion was being shown a vehicle that had already been sold. When speaking to the owner and dealer principal we were informed that if we were serious about the vehicle then we should have put a deposit down and then stated "well that's how it is". We are not some individual walking off the street as we have already bought 2 vehicles with this company previously. So this is how customers; and returning customers; are treated. Clearly this company is doing well enough that customer service is no longer a priority. Good to know.