Simply put, i don't think you were in a position to learn XHTML from someone if you didn't know the specific functions. This is no way your fault, and it's nothing against you but if you didn't know the basic things he was explaining then you shouldn't have done that.

Now, as for VIZ. I feel he should have taken a downpayment to ensure his efforts went paid for, but if the code was invalid and he refused to continue / explain for the quoted price then the previously given code is useless thus Julek, you have nothing to pay for.