cell phone question(a little long)

[Rock'n Robin]

My cell phone is dying. The camera broke in the fall, and I got the info from Circuit City to replace it (it is a Verizon I bought at CC with a 3 year service plan) but never called--I don't use the camera much anyhow. Well, now either the phone or the charger is not working. The car charger broke a couple of weeks ago--the end of it broke off. Now when I put the phone on the home charger it does not charge.
I finally called CC today. They do not make this particular phone anymore, but will send me $119 (the cost of the phone)--with this $ I am to go to Verizon and buy a new phone. One catch: the check will get to me in 14-20 business days!
The problem is not that I won't have a phone--I have comandeered DD#1's phone anyhow since she is grounded. The problem is that I am paying for 2 phones on my bill and odds are I'll have at least 1/2 month without one of these numbers.
Do you all think Verizon will credit me for this, or tell me to buy a new charger and try that? I really don't want to do that because my next phone will be a different brand (this is an LG and it is CRAP, I can be in my own driveway calling home and drop the call). I don't think I can just go buy a phone now and use the $ to pay it off later because I would not be getting a new contract (I'm afraid without a "deal" the $119 is not going to go very far). But I don't want to pay for 2 weeks of NOT having a phone. What would you all suggest?
Robin M.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

call Verizon, tell them that you don't want a check, that you want $119 in free equipment added to your account. Tell them to stop your service for this month, there is no reason you should be paying for this. If they can't credit your account, ask for a loaner phone to be set up in with your cell phone number. I've had this done before and although I had to fight for it - I got it done.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I don't know if that would work---the # I called for the service contract was Circuit City. I initially called about the broken camera alone, not the charger issue. I will call back later and bring that up and see what they can do. If they can at least let me get a phone NOW, it would be an improvement, although I'm perfectly happy with DD's phone.
Robin M.