[JumpCrisscross]

Negotiations are a transaction cost. If your services are a commodity, or if you make too bold an ask, the other side may prefer not to waste time.

If this is ethical this hinges on what they asked for.

[bigbear0310]

Ironically she did not make any ask. Basically she laid out the facts about her current comp and a competing offer, but stated that she liked this company more, so she would like to see if they could work together on this or if there's room for negotiation.

[JumpCrisscross]

That sounds like "I want to negotiate but don't know what I want". Could come across as a potential time suck.