I'll be buying it off contract because I don't like being locked into contracts. Its more expensive but if I get ticked off enough at any carrier I can jump ship without having to think about ETF's. Phones are easily sold so that's no big deal. Also, when I did have a major issue with Verizon, when they checked my account, retentions found that I was not on contract and if I threatened to leave I had no problem doing it. OTOH, I've always found Verizon to be more than willing to work out any problems we've had between us in a fair manner.