They offered me $85K. I want $100K. How do I counter?
NEGOTIATION · August 2026
LEVERAGE
They made the offer. The cost of losing you now sits on their side of the table.
TRUTH
First offers are anchored below the approved band. A counter is expected — declining to make one is the only move that actually costs you money.
ASK
Counter at $103K with one sentence of justification, then stop talking. The number above your target creates the room to land on it.
WHY THIS VERDICT
The negotiation blade does not coach you through your feelings about asking. It gives you the number and the sentence.