Question:
Recently a new type of grocery delivery service opened up in Lakewood which offers online or call in ordering only, they don't have an actual supermarket, and they offer a no minimum quick delivery service (1-2 hours) with no other charges.
There are around 20 established supermarkets in Lakewood and most have their own online or call in ordering services, except that they have a minimum and don't provide a quicker delivery (within 1 or 2 hours) for online or call in, and obviously to send a delivery van just to bring someone a loaf of bread doesn't justify itself.
Another point is that many of the established supermarkets are struggling to sustain enough customers, usually from Sunday to Wednesday many stores find themselves with very few shoppers.
At least 2 of the stores don't have an online or call in ordering service because they cannot afford the extra staff for the shopping and delivery.
Just in contrast in Borough Park there is the famous KRM - known as the "Kollel" - supermarket which has a fleet of delivery vans.
So is it permitted to use this new service which has become very popular recently, or is there a question of hasagas gevul.
Other supermarkets that do maintain these services might also be losing customers because they don't offer the delivery within 1 or 2 hours service.
However some stores do have a similar faster delivery if you go to the store personally and at checkout you ask for a delivery, so then it usually arrives within 1-2 hours.
This new service is located on the South side of Lakewood and are currently apparently concentrating on their immediate area which overlaps with one supermarket that does not have its own similar online call in ordering, but is known to be cheaper in general.
It also overlaps with other stores that already have their own online call in ordering, but might be further away from the streets near that new service.
However most people have cars, so driving to the store is part of everyday life here.
Answer:
Hello,
It does not seem to be an issue of hasagas gevul. The first reason is that the idea of hasagas gevul is “poskas lchiyusi,” meaning you are taking away the other person’s livelihood. However, in this case, the business is attracting more customers who place small orders, and anyone with a decent-size order will still stay at the other stores because they are offering the same deal. Therefore, they may be taking away some customers, but this is not considered “poskas lchiyusi.” Secondly, the other stores technically can also offer such a deal. They don’t want to because it isn’t profitable for them, but they still can. The fact that he is offering a service that no one else is offering is even less of a reason for it to be hasagas gevul. He is delivering it faster and giving better service. Therefore, it is not lifnei iver to buy in this store. Additionally, Amazon also offers such a service, but for a $100 minimum purchase.
As a side point, often stores offer a crazy bargain in order to get into the market, and in truth it will be very hard for them to continue this way. Imagine a person ordering a small bag of potato chips and getting it delivered for free within 2 hours. The gas for the delivery will cost them more than the product. Financially, it will be very difficult for them to continue this way. Regardless, they are allowed to open, even though it makes stronger competition for the other stores.
Best wishes
