I had one and really liked it for the price. I had one problem though, and it was a big enough problem to convince me to switch back to a regular Verizon phone. The Straight Talk phones do operate on the Verizon network. But if you are in an area where the Verizon service is spotty, there will be times when you have no service at all on the Straight Talk phone.
On my regular Verizon phone, when I travel to my other office 40 miles away, I can make calls and text all the way there (with someone else driving ) and when I get in the office. That office is in an area that is not Verizon, but the other carrier has a roaming agreement with Verizon and so my Verizon phone works just fine with no roaming charges when I am there.
When I traveled to the other office with my Straight Talk phone, as soon as I left the Verizon area the phone was useless. No service at all, so I couldn't call, send texts, or receive texts all day.
So, if you currently have a Verizon phone don't assume that the Straight Talk phone will work everywhere your Verizon phone does. It's a great plan and saves money, but just make sure you know what you're getting! I wish I had tried the Straight Talk phone for a month before dropping my Verizon coverage, because when I switched back my old plan was no longer available and I am paying more each month than I was before