[etski]

This is quite an interesting thread! I'm amazed it hasn't gone up in flames!

Since everyone here talks about screwing instead of getting screwed, why not try this strategy.

Verizon sounds like they're clearly not delivering on the contract you made with Alltel. If the phone you bought from Alltel can't deliver on the verizon network, they should either give you a phone of comparable quality or they should clearly let you out of your end of the contract since they are the ones that have broken the contract. In any case this should occur without you returning your old phone. If they don't agree, I would absolutely activate your old phone on a different network and refuse to give them another dime. They really have no recourse since they broke the contract! If you're on autopay, dispute the payment and contact your credit card company! Do not give verizon another penny! Let them hang in the breeze like they're letting you hang!