[michaelt]

  Also recruiters help negotiate salary for you too,
  and that always helps.

The recruiter's paid by the employer, and wants to maintain a good relationship with them. Surely their incentive is to place two candidates at $0.9x for a total of $1.8x, rather than placing a single candidate at $1.1x by driving a hard bargain?

I guess I'm confused as to why anyone would expect a better result by having someone else do your negotiation?

[jnordwick]

That's an interesting point but realistically I've never had that happen (that i know of at least). I've a always had them come back with better numbers than the initial offer.

[mianos]

Not down here in Australia. They get so much commission their interest is mainly in making a placement and will actively negotiate downwards if they think there is some risk in making the placement at a higher salary.