If you're travelling within the EU, then they will have to pay VAT, which is why it's all the same to them if they just deliver it to you in the UK.

As you're travelling outside the EU, then they won't have to pay VAT but you need to export it from the EU.

So options are basically book a domestic flight with total travel cost less than £169 including time spent and buy it then - or carry it back from the UAE and declare to customs.

Great username btw.