Yep this seems pretty standard in general. Specifically companies will state a expected salary, and then when giving a lower offer explain it as a lack of experience or qualifications. I had one company lowball me, and try to make up for it by insulting my qualifications. Unsurprisingly this is only a waste of my time and theirs.

Yeah hired was a complete joke. All the companies I got offers from required you to live and work in either SF or NY. That's at least how is was a year and a half ago.

My biggest requirement from a company is remote work allowed. Coming is second would be compensation. Half of the offers I got from companies requiring you to live in the Valley were barely over 6 figures. That's the hilarious part.

I've also had a bad experience with hired. Seems like they do not run a tight ship at all.