[SOLVED] Any TABLES wizards out there?

Page in question: http://www.todddawsondesign.com/test/matia/buyers/
ATA: 3.7.9

Trying to make the table work. Looked mostly ok, but the text was in the vertical middle of the cell on all but the first columns. Couldn't figure it out.

In frustration I spent hours learning WP Table Reloaded... Then went back and redid the css on the table, and got the text aligned right. Then in spaning columns, I screwed everything up and can't figure out why/how.

Wanted the "section" head to span 4 cols, but the background color only spans 1. Can't figure out why.

Also can't figure out why there are no rules above and below on section head rows.

Tried doing the column group thing, but that didn't seem to work, so went back and manually did it.

Can't figure out why the first column doesn't have <p> styles on it.

I really wanted to learn tables better, and don't like having to resort to a plugin (SO cumbersome!).

Just thought I'd see if anyone could see what I can't. Thanks in advance.