I am not sure what saddens me more, that Verizon sales people lack ethics, that Verizon lacks expectations of ethical behavior in it sales people, or that there appears to be a significant number of people that believe lack of ethical behavior in sales is acceptable.

Clarifying the points several of you challenge:   the cancellation charges are clearly over-compensatory in that

• Verizon has no invested costs into this contract - the device verizon provided me was reconditioned, not new.  Its market value at time of transaction was substantially less than $50....much less than the $145 cancellation charge. 
• Customer received no benefit from this contract.   I have received no benefit from this device.
• Contract was initiated in a manner that was deceptive, ...strongly suggestive of unethical practices by Verizon-  The responses above do not challenge this comment, they just reflect a lack of expectation of ethical behavior by Verizon as being acceptable.   The most successful sales people are highly ethical and succeed by referral.  

Bottom line, Verizon has suffered no damages or costs by this contract, and is seeking to extract $145 or $20/month for 2 years because I mistakenly listened to and trusted their sales person.   I agree I was fooled, shame on me.  

Is there anyone who believes that Verizon sales people should adhere to ethical behavior that would care to respond?   Accepting unethical behavior as a standard business practice degrades us all