>> Let's face it. Cell phones should be available for
>> purchase at retail prices that are really market driven
>> and you should be able to go to your nearest Best Buy
>> and pick one up at a reasonable price any time you want
>> without a contract scam.
>
> Your wish will come true. Eventually. You are probably
> too young to remember when you were not allowed to
> purchase your own home phone (wired) and hook it up to
> baby bell equipment in your house. It as against the damn
> law! Now, of course, home phones (wired or radio phones)
> are available everywhere and the phone company allows you
> to hook them up, no problem. Cell phones will follow. But
> it'll be a while, I think.

They're not? Or are the black helicopters keeping the prices
falsely inflated when you buy directly from the manufacturers?
So the Cell providers can give you heavy discounts and sell
them to you at a LOSS? (It's on the public books. They expense
subsidized phones. Selling discounted phones costs them money.)

And once you have service you are free to buy your replacements
and upgrades anywhere you want with no contractural impact. (This
is true for VZW but not other carriers.)

"This whole phone buying and insurance is a scam.
Phones cost too much retail and the discount you
get from Verizon for a two-year contract is totally
too much work."

And then there is the entitlement thing. The OP's argument comes
down to "They have a lot of money and I don't. They should give
me some.".

" and $150 for the company worth less then a penny for my budget."

And $150 in your budget is worth less than a penny for the homeless
guy on the corner. You should give him your car.

-Quick