Watching a documentary, there was aremark from the journalist on how, due to how wildly taxation on goods may vary, from area to area, in the US, most retailers do not put the full prices on the shelves and instead just tally it at checkout.
This made no sense to me, a european, as when I go to any regular shop, prices already include all taxes applicable to the product.
There are specialty stores where VAT and other taxes may not be applied on the price on the shelf but those are usually wholesellers, selling for professionals, that already know what additional taxes will be added and at which rates, at checkout.
Not having the full price you’ll be paying, on display, seems very underhanded and a bad practice. The client should know how much they are going to pay from the moment they pick an item.
I generally assume what I’m buying will cost 10% to 20% more from taxes and/or tips getting added at checkout. I agree it doesnt make sense and seems underhanded, they could post the actual prices if they wanted to.
As someone not used to it, I find it very annoying. Where I live the final sale price/cost to consumers is what must be advertised, by law. I remember car dealers attempted to omit delivery cost, a good while back, but that shit was shut down quick.
Is sales tax consistent across your country?