Hi Charles,

welcome to the forum.

the offer you described doesn't sound good to me, simply ignore it.
Before spending big bucks on programs of unknown quality rather check out the business models that are available and decide which route to go. Then -after that decision- you may want to join a commercial program or decide to try it alone first.

Regarding your question on how to build a list I suggest 3 things:
- do a google search about it and start reading what you find free
- join warriorforum.com, do the same search there and / or post your question as a new thread.
- check out Mike's http://im4newbies.com/

It's a huge topic and maybe easier to cover in those other places.

Ralf