Can't enter safe mode???

[mrtonk]

I am attempting to put my phone into safe mode per the Verizon rep I spoke with (I'm playing along with their suggestions until HTC releases a new OTA update to fix the last one, since all of you keep getting crappy refurbs), and every single time I get to the screen with the words "Safe Mode" on the lower left, I release the volume button, per instructions, and then the phone reboots into normal mode. Anyone know how to fix THIS problem???

 

[mrtonk]

I just did a battery pull AND a SIM card pull, just in case, and neither had any impact.