Stay far, far away. - OUTSIDE SALES Fastenal Employee Review

2.0
Jun 19, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Benefits were some of the best I have ever had at a company. The salary plus commission structure can allow for some people to make a descent salary but...

Cons

...Very long hours. Average workday is from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm (with other branches having extended hours). Upper management is very strict on sales numbers and will constantly micro manage you in hopes that you will hit your monthly goals. My district manager was very fond of sending the entire district progress reports on how each individual branch was doing and would make it a point to highlight the good and the bad. Product would either come in late or not at all and would force you to constantly apologize to customers. It is very hard to keep customers when you tell them that there order will arrive in the morning, but when they come to pick it up there is nothing there. It is very easy for them to go to other suppliers that stock much of the product that Fastenal has to order. The growth potential at this company is an absolute joke. I worked for the the company for three years and was initially told that branch manager positions open up very often. In the three years I worked there, I saw two positions open and roughly twenty salespeople apply for them. Don't expect a raise. If you want to take a customer to lunch, it comes out of your own pocket and is not reimbursed. The list goes on and on.

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
Apr 30, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good job to have during college. People are easy going and easy to get along with. Overall really good experience

Cons

Gets repetitive after a while

4.0
Jul 9, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great company culture, love the investment they put in for career advancement. Great people to work with, CEO is amazing but he's stepping down this month. Benefits are good. Decentralized organization so your ideas and solutions actually get listened to and implemented. Feel like I'm actually making a difference in the company.

Cons

Pay is lower than the industry average for most departments and they don't keep up with the cost of living, don't do bonuses (unless you're in sales) or pay raises. You have to ask to get one and most times they say no. Very male dominant at the branches and in sales, but many women in corporate leadership. Don't have any DEI initiatives. Not flexible on relocation for internal management roles, have to be at corporate HQ in Winona, MN.

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