VZ Sucks Donkey D*ck

My phone died 2 months before I negotiate my plan. VZ was asking $50 for a
used phone without warranties. I found a nice Blackberry 7250 and had it
turned on. Unfortunately I did not know I had to also sign up for a data
package because I am using a blackberry.

My first question is do I really need a data package, I got the $24.99 since
I could not get my phone turned on without one.

My second question is, are there cheaper packages than $24.99, I heard 71764
plan is free, when I called the people at Verizon they started to question
how I know these codes instead of helping me reduce my phone bill expenses.
So is there a better option for me with blackberry.

Third question with my contract coming up for negotiation in May, I am
hoping to get a BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone. What would be my
best negotiation strategy to keep my expenses as low as possible.

Any help would be highly appreciated.