I always suggest that people considering T-Mobile should test the service by using a prepaid or MVNO before they switch. In fact, what T-Mobile needs is a "test drive" program. That way, if it doesn't work for the prospective customer then "no harm, no foul", "we tired it, didn't like it, no loss, maybe you'll have better luck". The current sales program encourages customers to port over and burn their bridges behind them. Direct result is complaints like lcbarnes227 's along with complaints to FCC, BBB, state consumer protection agencies, etc. plus severe negative word-of-mouth reputation hit. Does T-Mobile believe that any of @lcbarnes227 's friends and acquaintances are not going to hear about their negative experience? Does T-Mobile believe that this does not color people's opinion of T-Mobile?
BTW, you can pay off those phones, have them unlocked and port to one of ATT's BYOD plans. So, you won't have to replace those phones.