That's wasn't the point.
If starting player wants to compete with BIS geared players today, it will cost high amount. Gear, instalvl, professions, gold for gems/enchants/skills. People who do that are rare.
Lots of players do just like you say, buy few pieces, weap+trinket and such, get the rest in game.
Lots of players donate minimum amount to skip que/get access to market, sell gold and chars to get themselves SM and stuff.
And most, I guess, are just like OP, going trough tough start and that makes getting competitive gear so much sweeter.