OK here is the rub. If I got an approval for a new hire at 70k - and I get your for 68k cool. If I get you at 70k cool. But if I can't get the budget for 78k - AND you want that - we are both screwed. It means 1) you are possibly overqualified 2) you would be pissed off from day one 3) you are smart enough to ask for money -- and those asks will happen a lot. So, we just cut ties. We can't do emails with you after since that is a legal document. You could call (in california or not one party states). Here is the shittier part, you don't even get to KNOW our budget limit. So it's a gamble on the counter offer on your part.

I am going to get downvoted. But I just want you to know WTF.