After many years with Vodafone, saying I was a first class customer and yet for the past 12 months I had been unable to get into my account to question extras charges. So much so I had to request an email for a detailed account for me check on my bill. Spending many many hours on chat line over a period of many months they were still unable to give me access to my account. On one occasion when they were trying to set up a new account they miss spelt my name locking it up. Going into the local Vodafone shop although my account was on line the staff spent 45 minutes trying to sort it out to no avail and then suggested I went back on line. After numerous recorded letters to them and receiving numerous text letters from them with promises my account would be closed so I could open as new, each time this failed even after quoting the special number I had been given, they had no record of it. Three months previously I had renewed my contract, no copy of contract was received. Having previously a kept all my texts over several mouths months, I told them if after ten days they had not sorted my account, I would leave. On July 1st my new mobile supplier rang on my behalf to ask for a pac number, she immediately past the phone to me and I was asked for my pin number, which I told them I did not have. After security checks I was told that as I had broken my contract I would have to pay balance. Knowing these calls are recorded I emphasized they had broken the contract by not giving me access to my account. The same thing was said again and I repeated they had broken the contract not me and I would not be paying. As the speaker phone was on the staff with me could hear everything along with customers waiting. Both them and a customer said what a lousy customer service and how rude they were. Changing over I sent a payment for the month of July in good faith only then to get a bill for over a hundred pounds. Taking it to arbitration with copies of letters and texts. Vodafone stated I asked for a final price to leave them, my reply was that was a total lie as I had emphasized twice on that day, they had broken the contract not me. My above statement would obviously be on record they could not produce anything else. With regard to my appeal, it appears that the requirement to be able to see my account is not part of the contract. even if it had been it did not justify a reason for leaving early. Who would deal with such a company when you can not see your bill detail before paying. I lost my case, but was was awarded damages on the grounds of 13 mouths of stress and very poor customer service. This amounts to nearly as much as they demanded with threats of court action and bailiffs. So they will pay themselves to clear my account. They have been also instructed to give me a written apology for the horrendous customer service and stress they have given me. I now get the best service from a competitor at a cheaper price thank you Vodafone I should have moved earlier.