AIBU- to expect to actually be informed of an interview cancellation before i get there?

[scrummummy]

I went for a final interview today for a contract position at a large company in London. When I arrived the interviewer said we've offered the position to a perm so I don't want to waste your time interviewing you!!??!! [Angry]
I am so pissed off!! I was too stunned to say anything and left.
He didn't want to waste my time, but he did why couldn't they have called or emailed me before the interview at 1pm.??
At least it was only about 1hour to get there but I am still very annoyed? AIBU to think they could have cancelled it earlier?

That's terrible. My husband has had similar experiences during his over-two year redundancy and it makes me feel furious. Ask them for your travel costs.

How bloody rude of them. I would ask for travel expenses.

Its not really worth the travel but if I had travelled from somewhere like Brighton I might. The recruiter didn't know either. It is just so rude!!!
I actually think I would have preferred to have been interviewed and told I hasn't got it later.

Was it arranged directly through the company or via an agency?

I would be fuming about it too.

Agency but he didn't know either.
I know from reputation they have a high churn rate and if that's how they treat prospective employees I dread to think what it would have been like working there.

That's shocking! I'd write a letter of complaint.

I would write to them and invoice them for your time and travel (they're unlikely to say yes, but it might be cathartic!). On the plus side, this could be a sign that they might not be a great company to work for.

I would definitely invoice them for your travel expenses. What a cheek! Of course they could have let you know before you got there. I hope the recruitment consultant was annoyed on your behalf too.

The recruiter was equally as shocked as me. I'll warn everyone I know if they look at jobs there and I'll never shop there.

Tell us where it was and we can all stop shopping there too!

Don't really want to post as I'll out myself I work in a niche sector but a large online fashion site.