I have a verizon cell phone, if a buy another one on ebay, how do i switch...

[aerolight14]

...my service onto the new one?? I will be buying a Verizon (NYSE: VZ) wireless phone, so how do I switch to using the new one instead of my old one? Do i need to actually go to the verizon store??
If they will charge me if I take it to the store, then Is there a way I can open up my old phone and switch the card that stores my service on?? Sim card perhaps, but I heard verizon dont use them?? Also how much money would I have to pay to verizion for activating a new phone? but closing it on my old one. Cant I just tell them it broke?

[deepbluesea123]

It's actually kind of difficult to do. The Verizon (NYSE: VZ) stores (both physical and on-line) make money and commission off of the phones and plans that they sell you. Asking them to activate your phone which you bought somewhere else would be like buying a Craftsman hammer from Sears and expecting the Home Depot to replace it if it was defective. I get where you're coming from, and wish I could get it done myself, but the fact of the matter is you usually need to know someone who works with Verizon or you need to just stumble upon some guy willing to do it.

I'm not saying it can't happen, but Verizon above all others is extremely touchy about this. Hope this helps!