Is buying the V60i (Verizon) from Radio Shack a good idea? $555(VZW) vs. $780(Radio Shack) for 3 V60i phones

Is buying the V60i (Verizon) from Radio Shack a good idea?

$555(VZW) vs. $780(Radio Shack) for 3 V60i phones

(prices after the $50 rebate)

The prices are calculated by selecting one-year contract.

To put it simply, what am I getting for the extra $225 by buying the
phones at a Verizon store?

A related question, if I do buy my V60i phones from Radio Shack,
will Verizon me pay a few bucks extra every month for the VZW extended
warranty?(so I can get the phones serviced at VZW stores)

Any input appreciated!

Personally, I avoid Radio Shack as I've never had good luck with anything I bought there. At our RS and VZW store, the v60i is the exact same price. I will most likely be replacing my Startac with the v60e when it comes out and even though the RS is a little closer, I'll buy my phone at the VZW store. The VZW store will activate the phone, test it and provide support if I have a problem. Radio Shack will provide me with lies and a sales pitch. Not worth it in my book.

[RaiderDoug]

Buying the phone at Radio Shack, you are buying a phone without a warranty from Motorola. Radio Shack buys them from Motorola at a lower cost because they provide the warranty themselves. If anything goes wrong, you will need to bring the phone back to the Shack. They have no repair facilities, and it will need to be sent off for weeks to be repaired. Plus, you will be signing a seperate contract, with a seperate early term. fee with RS. Plus, I don't think there has ever been a documented case of a RS employee knowing anything about the products they sell.

[Celloman]

Anon,
If you are buying three phones, I would think the VZW store would give you an additional discount. I'd go in today (last day of the month, they are trying to reach sales goals) and ask the salesperson if this is the best price they can offer you. I had a guy knock off $50 on my one phone, and I still got the rebate. That would make the 3 phones cheaper than Radio Shack, meaning that there is no good reason you shouldn't go thru the corporate store. Good luck!