Rands on Salary Negotiation
randsinrepose.com
randsinrepose.com
Now, I understand the psychological impact a too-large number might have on an individual. But this is a grown-up company. I gave them the gift of free information about the salary market and then invited them to ignore it. So I'm baffled by the response. The only explanation I can fathom, besides mundane ones like the headcount being withdrawn for reasons unrelated to my hiring process or the verbal yes being unreliable, is that they are unwilling to give away their own salary info to someone they believe will noever take their offer. And that itself is quite odd, since it implies their numbers are so uncompetitive in this location that they're unwilling to credit my assertion that I'll consider any offer.
Alternative takes?
Could it be they don't want someone too politically savvy as an IC? You're there to further the goals of an organization as a rank-and-file; not enrich yourself.
Supporting evidence: leetcode and system design interviews for ICs.
still, barring more information I would assume it's not the salary ask and it was some other reason (i.e. changed their mind)