Try not to be a sounding board for these types of issues.

I would like to offer without an agent on some deals I have found on my own both on Realtor.com and off market facebook groups  1) am I insane to try purchasing my first property without an agent?

I'll continue trying to contact them to understand what might have gone wrong.

I am a rookie and trying to buy my first rental property to start my real estate portfolio.

I cancelled my subscription and as you said, they also tried to collect funds, and luckily that card no longer worked.

"If you don't fail, you're not even trying."

I am trying to find best way to find legit contractors specialized in certain trades (masonry, carpeting, kitchen/bath, etc...)

Be sure to allow some margin for error in your first deal because you'll make some mistakes but be sure and try to get into action quickly! 

I usually try to have a 10-30$ spread (property dependent). helps pay for restock items and I don't want to kill people on the cleaning fee either. 

If you don't have a well aligned lock they tend to try to relock and when the deadbolt doesn't engage that drains the battery.