early termination fees

I was told by a verizon associate that I could upgrade to new phones but I would lose my 20 friends and family that I had with altel and I would only have 10. I asked the associate If she could keep my contract just like it was and up grade my phones with a new 2year contract and she said no. So I asked her if I cancelled and went with another cellphone provider would I be just for breaking the contract and she said no I would not be charged. Then I received a bill for $542.82 so I called verizon back and they said I was misrepresented and that they were sorry but I had to pay the bill of 542.82 or If I wanted to come back to verizon I could come back and they would work out the bill with me.