purchasing an upgrade phone from somewhere else

You can buy a phone on Ebay & give the ESN # to CS or online to activate the phone, I would make sure the person selling the phone has a high rating & excellent feedback.
Also if the seller is willing to, ask for the ESN # to check with Verizon ahead of the buy to see if it's a good # to activate.

 

Two other things to consider:
1 - Make sure the fone you buy is a "VZW" version ... Verizon will NOT activate a model made originally for Sprint or Alltel or a Canadian CDMA provider, for example, even if it's the "same" model..
2 - If you have been with VZW for "more than" a year, call VZW sales .... you may be surprised that you can get the fone brand new w/ Verizon warranty, for the "new customer price" or less, if you are willing to simply renew another 2 yrs on your plan, or already qualify for "new every 2".... no need to take chances on Ebay ...

 

yeah and if they deal that MeatChicken mentioned doesnt work out make sure that the phone you get off of eBay is one that was originally distributed by Verizon because that means that the phones ESN (its serial number) is in their system and they will accept it........

buy the phone and call them to give them the ESN and "voila!" new phone