We've never had a problem with North Oxford, always really helpful and get the job done.
They managed to bring our order for a Cooper S forward by about 6 months and we ended up with a launch day car - we've since had two further MINIs from them - Richard (Loosemoose)'s ONE and the new Cooper S Convertible.
Maybe you caught them on an off day, I thought they were considered one of the good 'uns
Martin