sales associate

woodworker

store manager

assistant store manager

seasonal associate

Busy Bee Machine Tools

I worked at Busy Bee Tools for a year and a half, and unfortunately, my experience was not a positive one. Despite working hard, taking on extra responsibilities, and even helping to train new team members, I never received a raise. I brought it up a few times, but the conversation always went nowhere.

What made it more discouraging was seeing others in similar or even newer roles receive higher pay from the start. It gave the impression that long-term commitment and effort weren’t valued, especially in roles outside the main office.

Time-off was also a challenge. Vacation requests were frequently denied, even when other employees seemed to have no issue getting theirs approved. I was let go right before a planned trip I had already booked, which felt especially unfair given that my initial vacation request the previous year had also been denied.

Throughout my time there, requests for support or development were often met with vague explanations like “we don’t have the resources.” At the same time, it was clear that not all parts of the company operated under the same constraints.

This review is based solely on my personal experience. I hope it provides some insight for others who are considering employment here.



I have been working for Busy Bee Tools for 4 year now. I have been promoted twice so far I started as the technical support supervisor now I am the quality control and technical support manager. The best thing about this job is that no tow days are alike, very fast pace and demanding at times but it is very rewarding when you reach the end of the task. Testing new machines and products is another exciting aspect of my job, I get to troubleshoot and think outside the box every day. Most of my co-workers have been with the company for more than a decade, this tells you something about the culture, we are like one family here we take care of our own. I recommend Busy Bee Tools for anyone who is energetic, hardworking and willing to learn new skills. The management is very involved and they have the approach of boots on the ground everyone is very friendly. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Being able to discuss, educate on, and sell woodworking equipment.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Too much stock gets delivered. Our warehouse is overloaded. Stock transfer is not based on what is in stock. We have an abundance of slow selling items and we get more regardless of need.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The selling environment is sufficient, but there is not enough warehouse space for the quantities of stock on hand.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
We are usually busy enough that the time flies. That being said, we are understaffed, and this leads to projects and tasks going slower than they should because we are often pulled away from administrative work.

Busy Bee Tools on paper and in the surface looks like it'd be a good experience and great place to be employed. I enjoyed my short time there but unfortunately had family emergency out of province that required immediate attention. Since then, I've had nothing but troubles with management and HR trying to get my final pay. The hiring manager is insinuating that I've stolen a key. Even though one was never given to me. They are also trying to take $100 off my final pay for their poor quality work shirt they provided to me.

They also lied about their being free coffee at work.

All-in-All. I do not recommend working here. Not because the environment, coworkers or customers. But mainly due to the poor and lack of management.

A typical day at work is fast-paced and full of learning opportunities. As someone who is 21 and new to the role, the integration into the team has been smooth and welcoming, allowing me to quickly pick up valuable skills. Management is supportive and open to feedback, creating a positive and motivating environment. The workplace culture is collaborative, making it enjoyable to come to work every day. The hardest part of the job is balancing multiple tasks at once, but it keeps me engaged and helps me grow. The most enjoyable part is working alongside a great team and being able to contribute to the company’s success while continuing to develop professionally.

Put out price tags. Answer the phone. Put stock away. Clean the warehouse. Operate the fork lift. Empty garbage cans. Wipe down the product on the sales floor. There is not much to learn in terms of experience already gained from other jobs I held. The management does not work together with the staff. Rules are not followed by the staff that are set by the management. It's a very long eight and a half hour day. My days off are Sunday (because we are closed) and one other day in the week at the managements discretion. The most enjoyable part of the day is going home.

I have been working here for over 10 years. There have been so many changes since I first started here. The management has changed some policies to take care of employees more, added benefits programs and recently the company just got us a free massage. It was my first time.  I found it comfortable to talk to my manager and to express my concerns about my issues with work itself and my reviews and wages. Many of my coworkers have been working here together for 8-10 years. 

the customers are great, the job was made very hard by management, we go through employees every 2 weeks, and no one stays due to management. employees are treated poorly and harshly, some employes are paid less than others doing the same job, and you are lied to about getting your raise in 3 months. we never know what a day is going to be like with the moods of management. makes forhard days.

I’ve worked for busy bee for 10 months, I am forklift certified, I’m a salesman and I make $15.50 an hour. I’ve never heard of a salesman or forklift driver making 50 cents more than minimum wage. There is no chances for promotions unless you work at the concord location; so for a younger person there is reason to stay. Management puts money before customer service. 

Very short experience here, entire team was stressed visually and verbally. Absolute mess with stock. Store manager was fired for being disorganized, etc. Was belittled for not learning a new system fast enough, without proper training. Was hired and then asked for references and background check. Absolute mess. 


Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sales associate 25 salaries reported	$18.21 per hour
Woodworker 5 salaries reported	$19.10 per hour
Store manager 10 salaries reported	$54,450 per year
Assistant store manager 4 salaries reported	$20.00 per hour
Seasonal associate 4 salaries reported	$20.75 per hour

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