new phone activation

the speaker on my LG VX8500 stopped working, i took it to the VZW store and they told me it is out of warranty and i would have to pay full price for a new phone. my dad has offered to give me his blackberry and go back to his old phone because he is technologically illiterate and doesnt like the OS on the blackberry. is there any way i can change all of this around with out going to the VZW store to have it done?

As with what Ellen said, keep in mind if you do use the blackberry you will HAVE to get a data plan (cheapest one is 24.99) on top of your current minutes plan. Even though I hate it, you can not get around this. I know because I've tried every way. :-)