In practice, the commission turned out to be 5–8% higher than promised. A car that breaks down every week. Customer support that doesn’t respond for weeks. Qiwi Partner has compiled a checklist of nine specific points to help you avoid this before signing the contract.
Why isn't the checklist limited to Glovo?
I’ve already written a separate post about choosing a partner specifically for Glovo Qiwi Partner. Most drivers and couriers work on several apps at once. The payment models differ: Glovo charges a fixed commission to the payment partner, approximately 30 zlotys per period; Uber and Bolt charge a percentage of each ride, ranging from 20 to 31%. A partner who knows only one platform well will struggle with the others.
Nine points to check
1. Actual commission. Not just the advertised interest rate on the website, but the specific terms for calculating it—and whether there are any additional fees on top of the stated interest rate.
2. The condition and model year of the car, as reported by the owner. Not a photo from an ad, but a review of the specific car you'll be getting.
3. Time to get started: one to two days. «Within a month» of submitting the documents—that's a good reason to look for another partner.
4. Support for multiple platforms at no extra charge. When it comes to drivers, there's Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow. For couriers, there's Uber Eats, Bolt Food, and Glovo. There's no separate fee for each one.
5. Transparency of the contract prior to signing. The sections on termination and penalties—please take a few minutes to read them carefully, even if everything is taking place at the office.
6. Support test in advance. Write a specific question before signing—and keep track of how many hours you have to wait for a response.
7. Weekly payment schedule. The industry standard for drivers and couriers in Poland. Once every two weeks or once a month—a good reason to check in.
8. Reviews outside the partner's website. Facebook groups and driver forums—not just the company's own page, where reviews are filtered.
9. Insurance terms following a traffic accident that was not your fault. Who pays for the repairs, and is lost time during the repairs covered?.
Five Questions You Should Ask Directly
Instead of just talking in general terms about «favorable terms,» ask your partner specific questions and compare the answers from several companies:
- What types of payments does the partner offer?
- How much does it cost to rent a car in my class for a week, and what's included in the price?
- Who pays for repairs after a breakdown that wasn't my fault?
- How many hours after I submit my application will I actually start working?
- What does the contract say about the penalty for early termination?
A partner who answers all six questions clearly and without hesitation is usually more transparent in practice than one who deflects the conversation with general phrases about an «individualized approach.».
Four red flags
The partner avoids giving specific figures over the phone, saying, «We’ll discuss it at the office.» It’s impossible to get a copy of the contract in advance to read at home. There are no online reviews, or only positive ones without dates or details. The promised amount is significantly higher than the market average, with no explanation for the difference. One red flag is a reason to be wary. Two or more are a reason to look for another partner.
Partner Verification in 15 Minutes
Find the company in the Unified State Register of Legal Entities—check its years in operation and whether it was ever liquidated under a previous name. Send a specific question to customer support and note the response time. Ask for the contact information of a driver who has been with the company for at least six months—a reliable partner won’t refuse this request.
Priorities differ for drivers and couriers
For Uber and Bolt drivers, points 1 and 2 are the most important—the commission and the condition of the car directly determine their hourly income. For Glovo and Wolt delivery riders, point 3 and the inclusion of a thermal bag in the kit are more important, since the fixed commission is less dependent on the overall terms of the contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to review a partner using the checklist?
An hour and a half for all nine items—that’s less than one workday of downtime caused by a poor partner.
What should you do if you're no longer satisfied with your partner?
How to change it without losing your ranking—Qiwi Partner explained this in detail How to Change a Billing Partner step by step.
How does this checklist differ from the criteria for selecting a partner specifically for Glovo?
Here are some general criteria that apply to any platform. Specifically for Glovo, there are a separate article.
Should you choose the partner with the lowest commission?
Not always. A low commission on a car in poor condition or with slow maintenance ends up costing more due to downtime and repairs you have to pay for yourself.
How many competitors should you compare before making a choice?
At least two or three. Comparing with only one partner does not provide a basis for assessing whether the terms are actually fair.
Can the terms of a contract be changed after it has been signed?
It’s rarely in your best interest to proceed without your partner’s consent. That’s why you should review items 5 and 6 on the checklist before signing, rather than hoping to go over them later.
A partner who follows their own checklist
About the model for working with settlement partner Qiwi Partner went into more detail. For more on common mistakes made by beginners, see in a separate article.
Ready to put your partner to the test? Become a driver or Become a courier with Qiwi Partner.
