Is it safe to buy a pre-owed Verizon Wireless phone off of the verizon wireless website?

I want to buy the droid fascinate it is $199.99 bran new. but its only $39.99 if it was pre-owned. I need some advice most of the reviews for the pre-owned were really good but there were a few that said it was horrible. ADVICE PLEASE AND ILL VOTE FOR THE BEST ANSWER!!