Is it permissible for a seller to ask about the price of a commodity or service from other sellers directly or through an intermediary, and is that considered espionage?

Searching for the prices of goods or services from others for someone working in the same field has two scenarios: First, if this inquiry is not disliked in the market, then there is no harm in it. Second, if it is disliked, then it is not permissible to question them in a hidden manner; because it is a type of harm and espionage which is forbidden by Allah’s saying: "And do not spy."