Promotion LA interview questions

The job was a bait and switch. I was called by the CEO and interviewed for a copywriting position, I was asked for my desired pay and I said $20/hour. The CEO said it seemed reasonable and asked me to come in for an interview. When I got there, she asked me about my relevant experience, but cut me off halfway though... she then told me a long winded story about how she first got into marketing, followed by telling me that she was sure I would be a great fit, but they couldn’t afford to have me on as a writer. She offered me a commission only sales gig promoting the business instead, which I obviously declined. Why would someone post a job as for a writer with a stated pay rate and then say “we can’t afford to take on anyone for that position right now”? I drove for 40min getting there. Ridiculous.