I just got off the phone with Verizon (dialed 611 for CS), told the guy I wanted to upgrade, he asked if I had a particular phone in mind, I said the Blackberry 9850, and he processed the order without a hitch! Free 2nd day shipping means it will be at the office Thursday!
It's not on the Verizon website yet, and they weren't scheduled to be available on-line until Thursday. But after reading how other people had called & ordered 'em I gave it a shot and it worked. I'm doing a happy dance right now