[jstx1]

> Why would I go to the company that does COL adjustments and pays me less than the one that doesn't?

All other things being equal, you don't have a reason to accept a lower offer but that's completely separate from the question of COL adjustments. If the best offer you get is from a company that has a COL adjustment policy, well... that's still the best offer that's available to you.

[stavros]

I agree that it's completely separate, but I didn't make the argument, others did (on the demand side). I'm merely rebutting it.