welcome to RC flying
i think if you try again and get phone numbers you'll find it worth while. don't buy any thing else until you talk with the club instructor(s). its MUCH easier for an instructor to teach if the radio is compatable with his and most clubs have some preferences on what plane to start with. if you really want to start on a plane without checking a Sig LT 40 will make about any teacher smile. get a DEPENDABLE 45 two cycle motor. an OS LA 45 is ok (not the 40 though) and cheap and very "newby " freindly. but don't buy a radio until your instructor says to.

if you absolutely must train yourself look into blue foam housewrap electic trainer designs. search this site and you'll find free plans out he wazzooo!!! a fair place to start is a design called a T1 and it is sloww.. and very cheap. you could destoy a dozen of these planes and never loose any on board eqipment. the thing that will sink a self learner the fastest is not knowing about setting up a plane prior to flying... balance control throws trimming radio set ...up these are where a club and an instructor REALLY PAY OFF.
be persistant and the club members will likely come around. teaching you on the electric plane you have may be putting the club guys off a little because i don't think it will buddy box ( plug into their radios).