Depends what you're looking for - Account Specialist Fastenal Employee Review

2.0
Mar 10, 2022
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

In remote areas it can be a good job. If you're willing to drink the blue kool-aid it can also be a good job.

Cons

Each store is a very different experience to work at. If you land in a good store you'll enjoy your time. If not you'll hate your experience. Their vision is not very focused. They want to do primarily B2B sales and yet have their stores open to the public thinking they're going to compete with Home Depot and this really distracts the team. Instead of being on the road making sales, delivering product, working up your commission - you're stuck baby sitting a store. On the subject of commission - they looove to play games with commission and they expect exponential growth otherwise your commission takes a hit. Anyone with a basic understanding of math knows exponential growth is not sustainable. If i made you 30k in profit during January of one year, my commission should be the same (not half) if make you 30k in profit during January of the following year.

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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