It's a great service and you can find deals all the time and if you don't have a credit card you can buy prepaid cards at most stores. If you don't like the public rooms you can get involved with lots of groups that only play private games. They aren't clans so you don't need to worry about that. Example are
www.mxgamers.net www.xblgames.com www.adultgamingenthusiasts.com These are groups that require you to NOT SING IN THE MIC! or act like a 12 year old. Great groups and makes xbox live the best it can be.