Good starting job, but you don't want to be stuck there. - OUTSIDE SALES Fastenal Employee Review

3.0
Nov 17, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

A lot of freedom! You set your own pricing to your customers and your always on the road in a nice truck. If you land the right account you could be set for a while, but it's very hard to land with current compeition. Full medical and dental and it was pretty easy to take a day off.

Cons

Pay was one of the lowest around for outside sales, no personal car, no cell phone, and your make A LOT of calls!!! Outside sales position always got screwed with commission. Managers made decent commission but expect to work almost 60+ hrs a week.You work a minimum of 50 hours a week, and you have to be in the office at 7am! This is more of a job for people that like to work by themselves. Each store will have 2-5 employees depending on success of the store, so if you don't have a cool manager you're screwed!

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
Jun 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Management is good Hours are negotiable Time off is available Opportunities to move up always available

Cons

No commissions for part time

3.0
Jun 9, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

They offer training programs through their internal “Fastenal School of Business.” A few good mentors to guide you should you find one and if you’re willing.

Cons

* Work/Life Balance - No official WFH opportunities. Branch employees were told to report, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. 15 days of PTO (10 for vacation and 5 for sick). You don’t earn additional PTO until the start of the year following your 5 year anniversary. * Pay - pay is inconsistent and they find reasons to change your pay by eliminating and changing titles. Pay is below industry standard and is a base + bonus program for most roles. * Boys Club - Especially in MN/WI area. Positions created or filled for cast off tenured employees to find them another spot rather than termination. Promotions based on political moves instead of merit or opportunities for growth. Positions posted for new roles internally but sometimes not shared with teams to allow for those politically motivated decisons to fill a spot. If a role is only posted for 1-week vs 2-weeks, it usually means they have a specific candidate in mind to take that role. * Cheap & Tacky - Required to travel but not all meals are covered. Welcome to stay at hotel that offers free breakfast but no per diem for lunch or dinner. Some meetings or trainings might provide lunch. When traveling for team meetings or trainings, usually required to share rooms - sometimes with other employees you’ve never met. Encouraged to book rooms using discount codes provided by customers. There is a target room rate they’d like you to hit and sometimes it means driving out of the way. They’d rather the expense hit elsewhere such as fuel and travel versus the room rate.

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