why do businesses always quote you a price then say oh plus VAT?

got my alloys refurbished for £60 each and then today the guy was like oh yea you owe me another £48 for the VAT.... i mean why couldnt he have told me that when he gave me a quote in the first place?

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Gusman · 61-69, M

They are trying to be deceptive.
240 sounds better than 288.
It is up to the purchaser to ask the final price.
Caveat Emptor

supersnipe · 61-69, M

In some purchasing situations (companies rather than private individuals) the purchaser ends up not paying the VAT. For instance commercial vehicle prices are usually quoted without VAT, and private vehicles with.