Terrible liars and cheats - General Manager Fastenal Employee Review

1.0
May 8, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good luck finding some pros. As an OSP there are a lot of great things. The more you move up though the more they throw on you with little increase in pay and if it does get increased they only take it away because they are trying to raise profits to elevate the stock price.

Cons

They pitch everything as such a great opportunity. The tell you how great they promote from within but once you are promoted you realize it is the only way they can survive. No person from outside of the company would be foolish enough to take the management jobs for the pay they give you. In the beginning they get you to drink the Kool-aid by telling you how great they are and how the company grows debt free and all of that and then when you fall for the promotion you find out why. Corporate passes the buck to the store manager and District manager even some too. For example: If fastenal doesnt regularly stock an item that your customer wants to buy you can buy it from the manufacturer. These manufacturers often times have minimum buys so If your customer wants ten you might have to buy twenty. Even though you made the sale Fastenal will now charge you monthly for the extra sitting in the back. If you didn't make the sale they would complain your monthly numbers are too low. To make things worse they tell you to run the store how you want all while penalizing you if you do it that way and stuffing their own private label items that are crap quality down your throat to sit on your shelves that no one ever buys and yet you cant charge them back for that. Terrible place to be promoted. I regret every minute of it.

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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