Online retailers do not necessarily have to provide a telephone number

After the Federal Court of Justice referred the relevant question to the European Court of Justice, it has now ruled that online retailers do not necessarily have to provide consumers with a telephone number before the contract is concluded. All that is required is that customers are offered quick and efficient ways to contact them. If this is guaranteed, means of communication other than telephone, fax or email are also possible. The ECJ also clarified that a trader does not always have to provide the information if the company has a telephone or fax line or an e-mail account. They must at least use the respective channel for contact with consumers(ECJ, judgment of July 10, 2017, ref.: C-649/17).