I am thinking about starting a business. Is it permitted for me to e-mail an existing large company for their catalog (not to compete with them-they are a multi million dollar company but to learn more about the market)? The company is owned by people who claim to be jewish but they were in the news for cursing at and firing someone because he kept shabbos.
Is just sending an email for a catalog “Gneivas Daas”. Is there any room for leniency because the owners will never know of the e-mail, just an employee who could not care less?
Answer:
There is room for leniency based on the idea mentioned at the end of the question: The salesman does not suffer on account of the request, and he is happy to simply send the catalog. Please see here for details.
However, this leniency will apply to the issue of onaas devarim, which is the issue noted by Chazal concerning entering a store and asking prices without intention of buying. In this case, there might be an added concerning of gezel, in that the store’s intention in sending out catalogs is for the purpose of potential buyers, and not for the purpose of helping other businesses.
Yet, it stands to reason that every store knows that some people will ask for a catalog for similar reasons, yet understands that altogether it is worthwhile. Still, because of the dubious nature of the request, I would recommend telling the person over the line that the intention is not for purchase, and leaving it to his discretion (he’ll probably send the catalog anyway).
Best wishes.
