Activation Lock - Too late in Setup process

Why doesn't Apple put the activation lock screen at the beginning of the setup process?

So I fell for it and bought a locked Ipad. I had conducted some research about buying used Ipads, but had forgot most of it. So when I was looking at this ipad from this guy, I turned it on it was reset. I clicked English, then U.S., then I was for quick start and to connect my iphone, my iphone buzzed and asked to connect with the ipad. At this point I thought I was clear, wrong. I left then connected the devices, then the ipad asked for my iphone passcode and I punched it in. Then the activation lock screen came up. I messed up.

Why I don't understand is why apple wouldn't put the activation lock screen at the beginning of the setup process. This would instantly notify any buyer that the ipad is locked. If language is the problem, then they could default in the last used language and have symbol with someone speaking that takes you to the select a different language page. I believe this would prevent more people from getting scammed like myself. Also why would apple have me go through the trouble of quickstart with my iphone and putting in my passcode on the new ipad if activation lock is on? Why wait till 3 steps in to notify the person that the device is locked. Maybe there is a good reason they can't do this, but it would definitely prevent a lot of people like myself from getting scammed.

Anyways, I learned the hard way.

Thanks for reading.