You can use prefertilized soils to start seedlings in, your buddies are just worried about them being burned by rich soil... which is easy to do in the very beginning. If you decide to use this kind of soil, it would be a very good idea to cut it with about 1/4 perlite. In fact, most starter soils could probably use added perlite, as they generally contain a good bit of peat, which retains moisture really well.

If you're willing to order products online, I've heard some really good things about a brand of soil called Promix. They won't sell it at any of the stores you listed, but you may be able to pick up a bag from a hydro shop near you. Try to Google hydro shops in the area that you live in, and maybe it'll surprise you with a location that's not too far from where you live. If you break down and just decide to buy the prefertilized soil, make sure you add the perlite to it, even if the bag says perlite already comes mixed in. They never seem to add enough.