[genwin]

I meant that jumping ship might be easier at any company. Businesses put rigid limits on raises. If you want to make a market rate it's best to get it when hired.

[Surio]

Ahhh. It's clearer when you put it like that. However, not everyone pulls an ace out of a card every time, time after time. ;-)

Net result, arbitrary excuses/comparison tactics like what OP points out, is actually more common than one would like it to be.