The good news is that you are browsing. And, you are asking questions.I'm, browsing and comparing dive schools to get started on my OW cert. I've come across a school that has the following text listed under the theory and pool portion of the course. . . . I can completely understand that having gear makes you more likely to participate, but this seems to be... well... wth??
As several / many have said, this approach is NOT the 'usual and customary'. Many, if not most, shops have moved in the direction of requiring OW students to come to class owning their own mask, fins, snorkel and boots. As a number of posters have mentioned, a well-fitting mask is an essential ingredient of a successful, and enjoyable, dive training experience. But, the 'good' shops don't require that such personal gear be purchased from them, only that the students have such gear, and that it be appropriate for scuba.
Like many instructors, I am very reluctant to have students buy gear (beyond the four 'personal' items mentioned above) before beginning Confined Water training (or before completing open water training, for that matter). Like it or not, diving is just not for everyone, and I have seen a few students come to that conclusion after only the first pool session. I would feel quite uncomfortable selling a gear package to someone who finds out that they just aren't comfortable with the activity. Not only that, I have certain biases about gear, which I hope to share with divers after they are certified. But, it takes time, and some diving, before they have enough experience and knowledge to even understand what I try to tell them about gear.
A good shop has plenty of time to work with new divers after certification, to help get them into gear that will support their continued development and future diving. And, low price should not be the criterion upon which gear decisions are made. And, I do believe that owning your own gear makes it easier to continue diving, and makes diving more enjoyable. But, I could not support a shop that insisted on getting open water students into gear ownership (beyond the MFSB 'personal' items) before the first pool session.