I have had a LG VX7000 for over 18 months - still have it but with a busted charging port caused by pulling the charger out without pressing properly on either side.  If you have not read the guide by "ayploholla1986" at "How to buy a good verizon cell phone" , then please read it first since some of the things I am going to say is going to substantiate whats already there.

Anyway, I must have dropped my vx7000 about 20-30 times but nothing happened to it except for the scratches.  Just amazing!!!!.  If you have the USB data cable, a little googling will tell you how to use this phone for free internet access (goes against your minutes which means its free on nights and weekends). Decent set of photos, spectacular address book - did not even appreaciate it until a friend with the razr called to say that its address book can't store more than one phone for the same contact!!!!.  With your USB Data cable and BITPIM you can put your own wallpapers, music and ringtones.

Now here is my personal sob story with this phone  ~ I had it all setup so well with ringtones, my kids photos, etc and now I am STUCK because nobody will fix my charging port - Verizon Store said I have to buy one at full retail, LG said that they might replace it for anywhere between $25 - $275 after I ship it to them.  I am now looking for a cell phone repair center.

Going back to what ayploholla1986 said about Verizon ~ yes, I managed to call Verizon 1-800-number and they gave me the early option w/ $100 off to get the vx8300 whose upgrade price is $250.  So, I have ordered it and based on everything I have read about it, it looks like one great phone. 

BUT, I did do a lot of research on eBay and noticed that I can get a replacement lg vx7000 for about $80 and I think that is a fair price because even if you have insurance it will still cost you $50 to get it replaced => so, think about it - you pay $4/month for 18 months = $72 + $50 = $122 to get your phone replaced!!!  Think its cheaper to not buy the insurance and just buy it off eBay - I learnt it the hard way with my Kyocera Smartphone which had insurance and when it broke after 20 months, they asked me to pay $50 to fix it.  Of course, did not pay that - spent that money on getting two new phones as I signed a new contract. 

Anyway, those of you who own the vx7000, don't upgrade - its a great phone.  If you end up like me, consider the Vx8300 if you want to spend $150, if not get another Vx7000 for $80 from eBay.

And yes, Motorola's charging ports are bad - had to buy 3 car charges for one of my motorola phone - all of them broke very soon.  Nothing against Motorola - but I think they are a little behind on the basics of a cell phone - good address book and good chargers & charging ports.  Of course, they got the good voice part like everyone else.