At a smaller tech company (not sure how big Return Path is) it feels like so much investment is put into each hire that they don't really have the "replaceable

At a smaller tech company (not sure how big Return Path is) it feels like so much investment is put into each hire that they don't really have the "replaceable parts" metaphor - and I know I'd rather know someone was unhappy and try to fix the reasons why, than suddenly learn they were going. I agree that the last-minute counter-offer can be way too late. (It's also pretty unfair if you've already accepted another job - I've heard of several cases of startups trying to hire people employed at larger companies who had the hire fall through due to a generous counter-offer.)