[viraptor]

Yeah, I should've expanded the comment more. 150% is more reasonable. A crazy high initial request is not a request, it's just "I want you to say your price first". It almost doesn't matter if you say 200% or "50 bazillion, your turn now". It's not that they don't want you, the hiring people may just assume you're not serious and not counteroffer at all - then it's up to you to come back and update your own offer.

So why not skip that step and start more reasonable?