Every rational human being at all times should be gauging whether they can get more for less. You're imagining sinister motives where there's no need for them.

Every rational human being at all times should be gauging whether they can get more for less. You're imagining sinister motives where there's no need for them. If your second best offer is, let's say 75k, why would the hiring manager offer you 100k when he could get you for 85 and you'd be happy? Just because "he's prepared to" pay 100? I'm "prepared to" pay $4 a gallon for gas, but I'm not going to offer it if the gas station will take $3.