Spirit Airlline 5 hours DELAYED flight with zero compensation or alternatives. Miramar, Florida

I was catching flight NK146 from Atlanta, GA to Dallas, TX on Saturday September 29 2012. The flight was schedule to leave at 4:25.

The flight got delayed till 8pm that night and we didnt leave till 9ish. I got to Dallas, TX by 11ish.

I missed an engagement that I had to attend.

When I went to the counter by the gate and asked if I can go on another flight (even another carrier). Or get a refund back on my ticket (I was going to buy a one-way ticket from another carrier). Their answer was "No, you need to stay here by the gate and not leave".

So I called "customer service", she kept putting me on hold to ask her manager and comes back with "Im sorry we can't do anything " and "if I didnt board the flight she could have gave me a refund", then the story becomes that I needed to complain to the cooperate office cause she can not give refunds or compensations out. 

First if that is truly a customer service, I would think from my previous experience with most airlines, they have the power to issue credits, miles etc...

Second how come at first she was saying if I didnt board the plane she would have gave me a refund and then she said they dont have the power to give any refunds or compensations.
And that I need to mail the cooperate office since there is no actual phone number to call them and complain.

Bottom line if you have something important to attend, choose wisely.

P.S: I've been regularly flying for the past 20 years and I never ever had such a terrible experience with an airline.