At our dojang the Master, fits you, orders it and you buy it from him. Did I pay too much for too little - probably. Do I care - not really. All of the students have the same basic stuff. Without cost I have been given everything from a shinai case, numerous tenegui from competitions all over the country and even shinai. The bottom line for me is the quality of the instruction, the attention I get and can I afford it. The cheapest price on everything is never the real issue.