Virgin Mobile USA can't activate iPhone s iPhone 4S

I was having a problem with Virgin Mobile's 3G network not working on an iPhone 4s (https://discussions.apple.com/message/19229251#19229251). Eventually Virgin decided the phone was probably defective and that I needed a new one.

On Sunday I got a replacement at an Apple Store. But Virgin wasn't able to activate it. They can't find the MEID in their system, so they say there's basically nothing they can do. They said I'd have to go get another new phone to replace this one.

On Tuesday I got another replacement at an Apple Store. Virgin Mobile can't activate this one either, for exactly the same reason. I was on the phone with Virgin for an hour and 45 minutes and it was a complete waste of time.  They want me to go back to Apple for a third replacement phone.

I could probably do that but I don't know why it would work this time when it's failed twice this week already.

Virgin just keeps telling me that they're doing something or other and that I'll have to wait 1-3 days for any news. I've already been without phone service for four days.

Is anyone else having problems where Virgin Mobile just can't activate an iPhone? If so, did you ever get it resolved? They sell these phones and advertise them, but they don't seem to be able to actually make them work.