I think it comes down to an ability for a company to recruit. They can't recruit someone in SF with a salary based on rural Canada's cost of living. The justifi

I think it comes down to an ability for a company to recruit. They can't recruit someone in SF with a salary based on rural Canada's cost of living. The justification is that it's in the company's best interest to reduce costs as much as it's in yours to get top dollar. A somewhat parallel example is whenever someone tries getting a car repaired or plumbing work done. They may all charge their own flat rate for labor but they almost always exorbitantly overcharge for parts. Why? Because if everyone else does it, they can too. It's money on the table they would be missing out on otherwise. It's an infuriating situation (I was charged $30 for 2 $4 gaskets on my repair yesterday) but it's a pattern that's been quite commonplace.