Hesitant
I recent had two interviews with a company, and at the second interview I was told that wanted to make me an offer to hire me. I said great, they emailed me the offer and it's 10k less than my current and desired salary (which they were aware of) so I wrote back declining the offer. I received a call in the morning to discuss my reply and after explaining why I felt discouraged with the offer they made a second offer at my current salary. Why do I have a bad taste in my mouth???
You have a bad taste because you was under the impression that they would give you what they offered and in turn, they tried to negotiate (the reason for the call to talk about your decline). This a selling and buying market. Like someone has already said, you know your worth and if you feel they didn't take you seriously and you still want the job; then you must make them understand that the salary is not negotiable. Let them decline or accept. I think someone already said also, if you already have a bad taste in your mouth with this company - chances are you won't be happy working there. Good luck Philip!
Remember, everyone wants something at a good price. Your selling yourself. If your worth a certain dollar amount and you know it, then it sounds like you did the right thing by declining the first offer. Now you got the offer you wanted take the job. Just remember that grass isnt always greener.
I understand your feeling. Basically, they were willing to cheat you if they could. I watched my last employer lie to a lot of people about a lot of things. It was a major red flag but what do you say to the owner, "I think you're a liar"?? In the end they lied to me too. My personal feeling is that probably won't be the only thing they try to cheat on.
I could be misunderstanding, but it sounds to me like you feel you weren't being taken seriously and/or the company was not be straightforward with you (in other words, they played games). Personally, I think it's up to you to: 1) Determine the source of the bad taste (I felt cheated, I felt toyed with, etc.); 2) Try, as best as you can, to evaluate the the 'accuracy' of the bad taste (Were you really cheated?, Were you intentionally toyed with? etc.); and then proceed from there. If you come to the conclusion that they were playing games (which some companies do, I think), does this automatically negate the possibility of you working with them?
It sounds like they were low-balling you. If the 2nd offer was just to match your current salary why leave? Most people leave their current job for upward mobility, not laterally. It they attempted to low-ball you on the salary before you get there what else to they have up their sleeve?? Given the fact that they tried to under cut your salary (knowing what you currently made) I'm not sure if they can be trusted (my personal feelings). Trust your gut, it's usually never wrong. Good luck!!!