Data Plans and Activation

Question

I know that there is absolutely no way around this; I am merely using a forum run by Verizon (and supposedly read by Verizon staff) to issue a complaint where it should be made.
About six months ago, it was time to upgrade my phone.  My sister had an enV3, which she loved (more accurately: still loves), and which fully fit the three criteria I like in a phone: it texts, it calls, and it has a reasonable resolution w/r/t taking pictures (I'm not a huge picture taker, that's why I prefer my phone to have a reasonable camera installed, although it certainly isn't necessary).  Naturally, I wanted to get an enV3, but was told that I would have to pay $10 a month for a data plan.  I do not use my phone for internet access.  I do not use my phone for applications (except for backup assistant, which hardly qualifies as an application that should be paid for).  I have no reason for a data package.  And yet, what my sister was able to get with no added package, I would have had to get the monthly package.  Upgrading to an actual phone whose data capabilities would be truly useful, such as a Droid, would require a $25 a month package. 
So, I chose the Samsung Intensity, because, frankly... I'm a college student; the $10 a month is better spent elsewhere.  As a college student, though, accidents happen.  I will preface the fact that I abstain from partying, alcohol, and drugs, so I managed to destroy my own phone with all of my mental capacities intact, so yes, it was my own idiocy that led to the destruction of my phone.
My family, however, has a reasonable collection of phones which we replaced with newer models as upgrades came around.  I'm currently blessed with the use of an LG that was made before 2005.  One can, hopefully, understand that I would prefer the use of a phone that accepts a Sim Card.  We had two LG phones from 2008 (sorry, I can't remember the model number at the exact moment... suffice to say that they were relatively high quality phones) which I would have gladly used, except for the fact that the particular design of the phone causes the hinge to break, and in both phones, the hinges were broken (I'm not the only one with this problem; two friends of mine who are much more careful with their phones than I had hinge problems with the same model... our two phones merely managed to break right after their warranty expired).  Actually, the manufacturing defect in the hinges was what caused me to have to upgrade phones... I would have gladly gone another two years with my original phone had Verizon decided to start manufacturing phones that don't break just because you open it on a regular basis to make calls or to text. 
To make that long digression mean anything, our family also has an old LG Touch... a phone which Verizon quickly pulled off the shelves due to the fact that it received horrible reviews on.  I would love to activate this phone with my number, but upon attempting to do so, Verizon forces the addition of a $10 monthly data plan.  To a phone that we have had for about 2 years and which upon purchasing we were not required to have a data package for. 
The Verizon data package plan is, I assume, a great idea... if you *want* to use it.  Forcing someone who wants a phone to pay money for features that they do not want to deal with is not ok.  Forcing someone to buy a data package when they bought the phone before data packages were required is not ok.  Come to think of it: building phones that break down a month after their warranty has expired is not indicative of a company that actually cares about its customers, either.  These data packages should remain optional.  I promise Verizon that, the moment I am independent and able to choose my own phone plan, I will immediately take my business elsewhere unless the data package requirement is rescinded.  It doesn't matter whether or not the other company requires the data package... my family has been loyal to this company for upwards of 8 years.  Any customer who has been with a company for that long deserves better than having to suddently upgrade to a phone similar in capabilities to a previous one and pay extra for a service which is not wanted.  Any person who has been with Verizon since before the data package requirement was instituted should not have to deal with this.  Realistically, any person who chooses Verizon Wireless, even after the requirement came in force, does not deserve treatment of this nature.
On that note, anyone working towards getting around the $10 a month plan?  I'd be willing to give a donation of $10 a month the the cause.

Answer 1

I completely agree!  I want a decent phone with camera and camcorder  to use for calling and texting without having to pay even the $9.99 data plan.  All of the providers want to force everyone into paying these extra fees.  It's not enough to pay for the services you use every month.  They want you to have to pay for the ones you don't as well.  I do not desire and WILL NOT pay for a data plan!