Can’t say I would have done anything differently. I bought most of my stuff at the local Honda store and was very, very happy with the service provided. Not knowing much of anything at that time I was glad to have knowledgeable people to speak with. I did end up getting my jacket and gloves online as the store did not have my size in stock and was unable to order up replacements in a timely fashion.
Sizing of all gear is important but I would say helmet sizing is the most critical and probably the hardest one to judge. How many people know if they have oval or round heads before getting into this? Therefore I would recommend buying your first helmet from a local store where you get to try it on and hopefully have a knowledgeable sales rep to talk with.
I disagree with the “dealer will rip you off” mentality. There is simply no way a local store can compete on price with a big box store out in the boonies that ships volume across the country. A local store will have higher taxes, lower volume and is expected to have knowledgeable staff. A lot of them also support your local MSF classes (at least round here they do). Yes, it will cost a lot more from your pocket but that does not mean the dealer is making a killing. Sometimes it is worth paying the price to get personal service close to your home, and when you are starting out, that might be the best time to cough up.