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There are a couple problems here.

  1. Verizon can be really picky about what they allow on their network, which is designed to get you to buy phones at a markup in their stores. I used to have Verizon and a few years ago when I was looking for a new phone I ran into that issue. I suspect it’s more of a “Verizon wants you to think your unlocked phone won’t work, but it actually will work” situation but I didn’t delve deep into it enough to really find out. I just switched carriers.
  2. Most Chinese budget phones are not made for the American market, they’re made for Europe, South America, etc. and they are not compatible with American 4G bands. Some aren’t even compatible with American 3G bands. https://willmyphonework.net/ is an indispensable resource if you’re going off the beaten path for phones in the United States, or anywhere really. Check to make sure it’s compatible before you buy. I just assume you’re American here. If I’m wrong, your options open up considerably, but Will My Phone Work is still an invaluable resource.
  3. When you’re buying Chinese budget phones direct from China, like on AliExpress, Gearbest, etc., sellers like to put adware on the phones before shipping them to you so they can make extra money. You can always just flash a new OS onto the phone, but if you want something that just works right out the box, it can be time-consuming to find a phone this way.

There are a lot of times when buying Chinese brands can save you money and the only “hassle” is the long shipping time, but in my experience, as an American, phones aren’t one of those times. Accessories? Oh man, all day long. Got my phone case off AliExpress for a couple bucks and it’s great. Bought some Orico and Rock cables for a few dollars each that still work great more than a year later. But phones themselves? This is one place where I won’t delve into AliExpress and the like.