---
title: "What merchants control and what you control"
description: "Clear roles avoid disputes. Decide them before you sign your first merchant, and write them into your merchant agreement."
canonical: https://docs.ordering.co/docs/discovery-ordering/launch-your-marketplace/part-4-merchants/merchant-roles/
---

# What merchants control and what you control

Clear roles avoid disputes. Decide them before you sign your first merchant, and write them into your merchant agreement.

| Area                                   | Merchant (business owner) | You (super admin)                  |
| -------------------------------------- | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Menu, prices, photos                   | Can edit their own        | Can edit any store                 |
| Store hours, temporary closing         | Their own stores          | Any store                          |
| Accepting orders, prep time            | Yes, in the Business App  | Yes, from the dashboard            |
| Delivery zones and fees                | Depends on your setup     | Yes. Many owners keep this central |
| Promotions and coupons                 | No                        | Yes, platform-wide or per store    |
| Commission and invoices                | Sees results              | Sets and issues them               |
| Drivers and dispatch                   | Can be allowed to assign  | Yes                                |
| Customers, platform settings, branding | No                        | Yes                                |

> **People often ask**
>
> **"Can a merchant run its own discounts?"**
>
> Promotions are created by the marketplace owner. If a merchant wants a deal, they ask you and you create it for their store only. That keeps your margins and your brand consistent.

## Put it in writing

Your merchant agreement should cover at least: your commission or fees, how and when you pay them, who sets delivery fees, prep-time expectations, what happens with refunds and complaints, how menus and prices are kept up to date, and how either side can end the agreement. Ask a local lawyer to review it.