Imrobert as you stated in your original post with NO CHAT messages are sent as sms and able to be received by any device capable of same. With the new chat option which is enabled by verizon as default if both parties have verizon messenger android app installed on their phones messages are sent as "chat" that other auxiliary devices not running the app are not able to receive.

This is my very limited understanding of this problem. I am in NO WAY tech support. Just trying to help as Verizon seems overwhelmed