I tried them and all was well for just past the 30 day guarantee. My wife and I both lost cell service at the same time but the timing was awful because my best friend was dying in CA and we are in FL and I just couldn't afford to miss what might have been the last time I would talk to him.
I was told to send back both phones and they would be repaired and returned; taking no more than 3 weeks. It was the only phones we had and couldn't take that chance.
I ran back to Verizon to have my old phones reactivated. Consumer Cellular basically told me "You are past the guarantee period so we can do nothing for you". I was stuck with both phones and kept Verizon until I found Tracfone. This is absolutely the best cell deal there for me. Like you, I don't use it too much and I am not a smart phone kinda guy. My cell bills are now less than $10 per month.