Switching from Verizon//activating phone

I made the (potentially terrible) decision to switch from Verizon about 8 days ago. I went into the store, traded in my phone and got a new one, and was told they were having a hard time activating the phone. They sent me home and said it should start working in about an hour. 

It has been 8 days, the phone will still not connect to the network. I've called their customer service line 4 or 5 times now and spoken with off-shored workers who don't understand American customer service norms and have just literally told me to wait 7-10 business days. When I ask to speak to a manager they say one will call me back; no one has called me back after the 4 or 5 calls I've made all requesting a manager. This is by far the most disappointing mobile experience I have ever had in a Western country and I will be switching back to another carrier as soon as I can.

Is it normal that you have to wait 10 business days to get a phone activated?