OKAY..... This way of getting help (from a forum) works every bit as well as calling verizon support.  I should have known this was a useless way of getting help.  If I need a different phone, I'll get one.  If I need a different tablet or computer, I'll get one.  If I need a different service, then I guess I have little choice.  The fact that this forum has the same apathy as Verizon support should NOT have been a surprise.  Just very surprised that such a basic problem (affecting so many people) cannot be solved.