Just a quick look at those kits, and they are definitely charging a significant premium.

The basic kit is $150, and you get a baofeng, cable and "manual." I don't know what instructional material they provide or its quality, but I know for sure there is tons of free high quality educational material online. Also there are free online practice test sites too, that have the actual test questions. You say you already have your Tech, so you can get on the air with that already.

Here is most of what comes in that basic kit if you just buy it yourself.

• $38 - Baofeng UV5R + programming cable + extra battery + accessories
• ARRL info about repeaters and how to use them (caution:PDF)
• There are paid sites and apps to find information on your local repeaters, but IMO you can more easily just google "my-city, my-state 2m repeaters" and get the info that way.
• The software to program these radios is free it is called CHIRP
• Manually Programming in a repeater with the keypad.
• If you want to meet people in person, see where your nearest amateur radio club is and visit. Probably the same people that put on your license test. If/when you do go for your general, make sure and ask the folks giving the test about local clubs and repeaters.

horrible time learning via text book

Youtube is your friend. Youtube has multitudes of information on 2m and ham in general.