This is a funny tactic because it should not work with a thoughtful negotiator. "If we were to make the offer" is de-facto an offer, it's just not official, an

This is a funny tactic because it should not work with a thoughtful negotiator. "If we were to make the offer" is de-facto an offer, it's just not official, and though there might be a legal difference between an 'if we made it' and 'actual offer' ... for all intents and purposes, it's the same. It's the start of the negotiation. A half-smart negotiator would simply say: "Yes, if you included moving expenses" or whatever they would say otherwise.