Normally when I see or hear that, it's simply shorthand for what the final bill will be after taxes, shipping, fees etc. It's a way of speaking about what something is likely to cost if all you know up to that point is the sticker price. So I don't see how your example as to what happens after you pay and look at your receipt matters; it's for telling someone what it will cost when they haven't done the calculations or aren't aware of the extra charges or if you just want to skirt the issue and get to the bottom line.
