Full retail price is not $299. That is the price with a 2 year contract. Outright price (retail price) is about $600-$800. And yes, you CAN purchase if for that price if you have the funds to do so.

You can buy it off contract at full retail price.

You can always buy a phone at full retail if you don't have an upgrade. That's the catch is they make you pay full price instead of the new contract price so you can upgrade whenever you want, for a big price.

yes

No. $299 is only the price if you are upgrading, and allowing Verizon to subsidize the price of the phone. I paid full retail price for my phone only because I still have unlimited data, and didn't want to loose it. If you're already on a tiered data program, I'd suggest saving your money, and upgrade, and pay a smaller portion of the phone. If you have unlimited data still like I do, I would suggest paying full retail price, that way you don't loose your unlimited data. Hope this helps.