cell phone

Can you not type in all caps? ;)

GSM based phones use SIM cards that can be moved from phone to phone with out needing the carrier to do anything. So once unlocked you can use them with any GSM based carrier almost anywhere in the world (as long as it supports the band used in that country, if you travel internationally get a quad band phone).

Verizon and MetroPCS are CDMA based, so even if you can get the phone unlocked you would need to convince MetroPCS to program the phone. Most providers will give you free phones with a service contract, so I am guessing you have nice phones you don't want to lose. I would call MetroPCS and explain the situation. If you have enough phones to transfer and you are willing to lock in for a long enough contract they might ew willing to front you the phones.