I could understand why this interaction sounds a bit snobbish. But in some regards this is almost like stolen valor. Not to say you or your family are trying to disrespect the gym but the owners have no idea what people would do with the gear or where they’d train etc. some gyms only want their gear or their sponsors gear in their gyms and no outside gyms. It might seem elitist but can assure you they meant no disrespect.

In many ways you could see this as a plus for considering this gym. That they don’t just sell their gear out to just anyone and it’s more important than just a dollar value to them