So your complaint is that you can't usde a smartphone as a dumbphone (you got attracted because the smartphone is cheaper than the dumbphone), without realizing that there is going to be a *gotcha* in there somewhere. In what way is that VZW's fault?
If you are still stuck with one or more of those 8830s, PM me and we can exchange information (I'm a VZW customer, and have nary a quibble paying for a data plan that I would actually use).
My complaint is I upgraded to Curve - which are awesome. The 8830 is a great phone but I cannot just give them a way as dumbphones. It just seems odd to me that an off contract phone cannot have a downgraded plan. I'm PMing you my info if you really want an 8830