[flachsechs]

> I know it's considered bad negotiation

it's not. the more assertive you are with your compensation requirements, the more likely you are to get paid what you want.

i don't know where this crazy idea of "don't tell anyone what you want to be paid" came from, it sounds like some real amateur hour nonsense that will get you passed up in favor of someone who is more straight forward with the entire process.

imagine trying to buy a product or service, but nobody will tell you how much it costs, but instead tries to subtly hint that you should name your price.

[ianmcgowan]

It's not crazy if you don't have a good idea of your market value. It's not "don't tell anyone what you want to be paid", it's "make the other side go first, just in case I'm wildly undervalued and the range is higher than I can imagine".

And I've been part of many enterprise software purchases where getting to a cost depends a lot on budget and perceived depth of pockets. Final prices are usually 50% of the first price you can drag out of the vendor, but I've seen up to 90% discounts.

You're right on both counts, as long as the market values are relatively well known to all parties. When it's murky, you're better off letting the other side go first. Sounds like you're very in touch with your own personal market value, so it's not an issue for you.

[humanrebar]

> imagine trying to buy a product or service, but nobody will tell you how much it costs, but instead tries to subtly hint that you should name your price

There are tons of products that don't have a listed prices, just a "call our sales representatives". Heck, the job listings don't list salary expectations, even when they're cold calling you.

[flachsechs]

"call our sales representatives" means they'll tell you if you call. i'm guessing you never call, because you don't actually want to talk to anyone, which is exactly what they're trying to do: filter you out.

[drewmol]

It can mean: "you want to know the price? Well, that depends... How much is it worth to you?"

Among plenty of other things

[r00fus]

Value-based pricing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value-based_pricing

Best way to increase margins when the perceived "worth" is variable and it's a seller's market. Not so optimal in a market where you as a seller are in a buyers market.

[howlgram]

They'll make you offers going from most expensive to cheaper, also it's a filter in order to lure in people who believe the product has value. You could say is a subtle way of asking people if they value the product highly, basically asking people to name the price even though not directly.

[humanrebar]

> they'll tell you if you call

...or they expect you to haggle. Or the price depends on who you are. Or the price depends on how close they are to getting their sales bonus.

[throwaway911233]

Slightly related. I openly share my salary information with all of my friends in tech, 90% share their history back with me. I refuse to let social mores depress my wages or those of my friends. I recommend all engineers do the same.

[sjg007]

Ok, how much?

[throwaway911233]

I make ~$200k in an affordable city not on the coast. I could make $300k - $400k in NYC. I write and maintain programs for finance.

[AnimalMuppet]

How do you get a job in finance while not on the coast? Remote work? Work in a branch? Work for a regional outfit?

[quuquuquu]

My money is on Charlotte NC, or perhaps Austin or Dallas if Charlotte is considered the coast somehow.

200k in those areas is obviously quite good but not life-altering money. You'll need to work 5-10 years before you become a millionaire.

Anesthesiologists in that area can make up to 600k.

[flachsechs]

live on the coast for a while, build/augment your career and social circle, and then move somewhere else and keep your job(s).

note this plan actually involves dedicating years of your life to something without a guaranteed payoff or clearly defined steps, which is why it seems like such a mystery to most people.

[vibrato]

Yes, I think that "rule" came about to have people avoid price anchoring against their own best interest. However, why not use the price anchor in your favor? It does take some confidence and ability to walk away, so in a compromised position I see the merit. But generally engineers are in a great position in the marketplace.