Be fully aware of what you might be getting into - Sales Fastenal Employee Review

3.0
Feb 23, 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

As I went to work for the company about x years ago, I found Fastenal to be one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling positions I have ever had. They have a great benefit package for the full time employees. Insurance and leave. That sort of thing. Money was fair. Not really the greatest, but mostly livable. Advancement then was good. Mostly inside promotions and then outside hire to fill the vacancies left by them. That ws then.

Cons

During the first x years of employment, my branch was one ot the top producing branches in our district and region. We reached our "Sales Goal" every month for more than a year straight. Then the company got the bright idea to try and fix what was not broken. They got Money Hungry. This is when it all started to go down hill. Not only was it Fastenal, but the administration we had in the whitehouse at the time caused the "recession". Instead of taking a step back and looking at the new econimical situation, Fastenal just went ahead and raised all of the goals and expectations for the branches. Busness fell and so did numbers. Instead of lowering margin and selling more, they put a stop to discounts and made branches sell at full "wholesale" and give minimal discounts. Sales fell farther. Margin on what sales we did make were higher, but not near enough to make up the difference. So we were making 60% of $1000.00 ($600.00) instead of 48% of $2000.00 ($960.00) for the same period of time.....??? See anything wrong?

Explore other reviews about Fastenal

5.0
Mar 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

For such a large company, they move fast. If you demonstrate exceptional talent, it is rewarded much more quickly than other companies. Good decision-making gets a lot of attention.

Cons

Low starting pay makes it so that there are not a lot of applicants for entry level positions. Bad employee behavior is tolerated because it's hard to backfill the position.

1.0
Jun 6, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

I wish if there were anything worth mentioning.

Cons

My contract was changed three times in the span of three months. This is the most disorganized company I have ever worked for. As an employee, you are the least of their concerns expect to be asked to stay late, come in early, and take on tasks outside your job description. Due to chronic understaffing, you're pressured into doing extra work, and if you refuse, they will find a way to let you go.

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