Help Problems syncing and editing gmail contacts

[NumbChops]

I deleted the original question, because it was based on a misunderstanding.

I was confused because I didn't realize the phone maintains multiple, separate contact lists, ( 'Gmail', 'Google Plus', and 'Phone'), and that "join" simply links contacts, and does not does not merge them.

 

[MiguelAMX]

I'd like to point something out .. -- not necessarily you NumbChops, but for those who don't know.

When you add a contact, if you select :: (A) Phone, the conctact will be saved to the phone only. If you lose your phone. You lose that contact. (B) GMAIL, the contact will be saved with your Google account, meaning, when you buy a new phone and connect your account with it. All the contacts in that Google account will be synced with the phone -- you wouldn't have lost any.

TL;DR Add contacts to Gmail if you don't want to lose that number, otherwise, add to phone if you dont care to lose them.