You are wrong about it absolutely having to be bought. When my alliance floods a new member they hand them millions of resources. One person will send 13mil another will send 6mil, I myself send 2mil in resources and yet another can send another 13 mil. And those are only the members I know that have sent resources, while others just do it without saying a word to anyone.
Also, have you forgot about the speed ups. I used quite a few of my speed ups on my first town. You get quite a few in your beginners package.

