‘Are we at a sabzi market?': Frustrated techie vents after haggling his salary with HR

An Indian software professional recently ignited a passionate discussion online after sharing his disillusioning experience with salary negotiations. After spending four relentless months applying to numerous companies, he finally landed an offer. With four years of experience in data-centric roles, his current job pays a cost-to-company (CTC) of Rs 12.7 lakh per annum, all of which is fixed. Post-PF deductions, his take-home is around Rs 96,000 a month. As the role is remote, he benefits from significant savings on living expenses.
Encouraged by his experience and skillset, he aimed for a new role that would offer both a workplace-based experience and a higher salary. He applied to a small firm in the NCR region, one that houses fewer than 200 employees. He was willing to relocate and bear the cost of commuting and living near the office. Considering these new expenses and the increased responsibility of an in-person job, he proposed a CTC of ₹19 lakh per annum.
However, after several rounds of discussions and what he believed was clarity in communication, the final offer presented was Rs 16 lakh. This figure included gratuity worth Rs 35,000. The candidate pointed out that, once taxes and the higher cost of living were factored in, his real gain would be barely Rs 10,000 more than his current take-home pay—an increment that didn't align with the shift in lifestyle and job nature. He expressed disappointment that despite mutual understanding, the company's HR revised the offer late in the process. What aggravated him further was how the whole conversation resembled haggling in a vegetable market rather than a formal corporate negotiation.
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The Burden of Negotiation and Community Support
He shared his story on Reddit's
Developers India
forum, expressing both confusion and desperation. The techie revealed he was eager to move out of his home and start afresh in a more fulfilling role, but the financial mismatch left him in a dilemma. He wasn't comfortable with negotiating hard, but the current offer made little practical sense.
This opened the floor to numerous responses from fellow professionals. One user reminded him that companies often depend on a candidate's reluctance to negotiate. Whether or not one enjoys the process, it remains a necessary skill in the working world. Another comment warned him of the dangers of never learning to push back—fearing that, as responsibilities grow in life, accepting less will become a dangerous norm.
A user pointed out that the offer wasn't impressive enough to accept, especially after calculating the minimal financial jump. They suggested that the techie either assertively ask for his originally proposed salary or walk away.
Inside HR Tactics and Candid Advice
A third Redditor shared a behind-the-scenes look from an HR friend, revealing a common practice—offering lower pay unless the company feels desperate or highly values the candidate. The moment someone accepts their original expectation without resistance, HR sees them as either too confident or not likely to stay long-term.
The final consensus in the thread advised the techie to keep searching while trying to renegotiate. If the offer doesn't respect his expectations or living conditions, it may not be worth the compromise, especially after a long job hunt.

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