Adam... Head on over to Swappa dot com and see what they have for used phones there. Swappa forces sellers to do an IMEI check to make sure the phone can be activated... I bet for $300 you could get a nice Icon or HTC One (M8). For less you could pick up a 928.
Also see our Marketplace which is linked in my signature... Some nice, gently used and loved Vzw phones come through there all the time.
You do know you can activate a Vzw device on Straight Talk now? Same $45/month plan and ride on Verizon towers. Log into Straight Talk and start a chat window with support. They'll help you out.