...or another non-shop affiliated club that offers SCUBA. The shop will get your $$$ in the long run, but it is nice to have an instructor who has no vested interest in selling you more expensive stuff than u need!
I frequent an LDS that has a "used" table & have gotten some fine gear for very reasonable prices there. I discourage e-bay purchases. There are debates on on-line dive-gear retailers; I have not tried them because I need the LDS's service commitment on repairs, etc.
Whether or not the trips & books are included in the price may sound strictly economic; it is not. In SCUBA, we accept that we cannot control the weather. It would be NICE if we could do our checkout dives in desireable locations, but if weather only permits a dive in a boring water hole, do you really want to be pre-charged for the nice place?
Once u are certified, you may rent equipment till u can buy it one piece at a time. Some shops, if they know u will be loyal, will apply rental fees to purchases! Once u have all the equipment, diving can be a cheap sport (about $4/airfill in your tank!) Try to learn beach-diving if $ is a concern; it will save u beau coup on boats!