Dealer calls then sells to someone else!?

My dealer called me to say that a Prius I had ordered was in. I asked if I could reserve it over the phone and he said no, I have to apply in person. My wife was just a few miles away so I told him she would be there within a half hour.

When she got there the dealer told her that he sold the car to someone else a few minutes before. First come first serve.

It this ethical? When someone says they are on their way, to sell it to someone else?

I had mentioned that I was interested in leasing the car. Could this be the reason it had been 'sold'? Is leasing a less desireable way to finance a car rather than selling it outright?

It seems suspicous to me.

 

I haven't placed a deposit. When I applied he said that they usually ask for one but didn't really need it.
I've been waiting since November and he has called three other times offering Prius's that didn't have the options I wanted.

 

Ah well. I'm not going to complain anymore. The dealer called again this morning and I bought a Prius.

Another customer came in about 3 minutes after me and was told that the car was sold. It is just their policy to call several customers and first to arrive gets the cars. Sounds a bit flaky but that's their policy.

(When I looked a the car it was still covered with dust and everything wrapped in plastic. It had just been delivered a few minutes before. )