Got a job. Initial offer different from offer letter

Lean L

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2009
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It's not by too much but I still think it's kinda deceptive. I am emailing HR about it right now but would this generally be a mistake or do companies actually pull the bait and switch?
 
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dank69

Lifer
Oct 6, 2009
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It's not by too much but I still think it's kinda deceptive. I am emailing HR about it right now but would this generally be a mistake or do companies actually pull the bait and switch?
These days they do. They'll play it off, 'oh sorry, our mistake, we'll fix that right up and get it out to you.' How much we talkin? You said not much so I'll guess ~$100k difference?
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
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What was the offer? Maybe you misheard? I remember when I got my first offer letter, I thought he said 60,000...but it was 50,000.
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
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I have never run into a "bait and switch". Big companies probably wouldn't try it for fear of being sued. If it's a small place though all bets are off, there are some shady businesses out there.
 

Lean L

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2009
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These days they do. They'll play it off, 'oh sorry, our mistake, we'll fix that right up and get it out to you.' How much we talkin? You said not much so I'll guess ~$100k difference?
Naw, it's 3 mil difference. lol
What was the offer? Maybe you misheard? I remember when I got my first offer letter, I thought he said 60,000...but it was 50,000.
Let's just say that I have a screen shot of the offer.
I have never run into a "bait and switch". Big companies probably wouldn't try it for fear of being sued. If it's a small place though all bets are off, there are some shady businesses out there.

It's a pretty big company. Should I just relax then?
 

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
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Naw, it's 3 mil difference. lol

Let's just say that I have a screen shot of the offer.


It's a pretty big company. Should I just relax then?

hahahahaha...mine was verbal, but doing that in writing is just plain dumb on their part.
 

Lean L

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2009
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hahahahaha...mine was verbal, but doing that in writing is just plain dumb on their part.

well maybe so. But I can't help but think that if they truly were to say take it or leave it, there would be no recourse for me.
 

unokitty

Diamond Member
Jan 5, 2012
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My expectation is that there most likely was some sort of miscommunication.

As the new person, it may not be prudent to complain vigorously. On the other hand, you can always ask for a clarification.

I've always tried to handle these issues over the phone or in person.

Best of luck,
Uno
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
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It's a pretty big company. Should I just relax then?

I'd bet it's an honest mistake but still go ahead and give them a call. As long as you're not a jerk about it they should be willing to figure out what happened.
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
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IMO in big companies it takes a while to get a good raise, so you would want to start with as high salary as you can get.
 

Rumpltzer

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2003
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Yeah, if you've got something in writing already that says one thing, you need to get this more recent offer corrected.

No one is going to take care of you more than you.
 

gooseman

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
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Contact them. If it was actually done on purpose and you let them get away with it, they will be lowballing you throughout your entire career with them.
 

Ancalagon44

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2010
3,274
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Probably bait and switch.

I know that the South African branch of a certain global IT company with multi billion dollar revenues, has a rule that if an employee gets a job offer, they promise to match the new salary to get the employee to stay, then later tell him they cant meet the offer. by this time, the company has found a replacement and the employee turned the offer down.
 

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,445
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I work in applicant tracking systems. Most offer letters are system-generated from data keyed in by a $12-16/hr recruiting coordinator, not keyed in by the recruiter who actually negotiated your offer. TONS of room for error.

I wouldn't assume they're trying to play you. It's far more likely to be a clerical error mistake. Contact the recruiter and note that there's a discrepancy and they should take care of it for you. If they don't, then consider whether you want to work with them.

<-----Spent 6 hours today talking about offer process with a client.
 

Lean L

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2009
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Thx. I figured it would be an error but it's a strange thing to talk to HR about at the same time.

No email response. I'll give them a call tomorrow.
 

AyashiKaibutsu

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2004
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You need to go in there flipping shit over demanding double the difference. If you don't show them your stance of dominance they're going to walk all over you.
 

Lean L

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2009
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update: Called in, was an error. I had to get help to fix it but now I'm making four extra starbucks a day lol.

I wonder if I'll end up in a coma if I actually had those coffees..
 
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Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
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Contact them. If it was actually done on purpose and you let them get away with it, they will be lowballing you throughout your entire career with them.

If its a big company, it could just be a lousy recruiter and things could be great once he's an employee.
 

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,445
131
106
update: Called in, was an error. I had to get help to fix it but now I'm making four extra starbucks a day lol.

I wonder if I'll end up in a coma if I actually had those coffees..

Cool, glad it worked out. Thanks for updating!