glofishx

Let me add to all this that we first did an informal negotiation with the prospective employee with a quite lengthy back and forth that led us to put those terms in writing.

But only when he had the official letter did it occur to him to ask for a larger office (it is not possible as he should have seen during the visit, travel funds (???), extra time off and more salary. It was extremely annoying.

well the worst that can happen is that he does not get hired: no salary increase, no equity.

And this is not even the worst that can happen. I have withdrawn (let them expire) offers from people that after receiving my first offer tried to strongarm ridiculous bonuses. The reason I have withdrawn the offer is that it made me clear that the person does not understand their worth to us - hence would likely be a trouble later on. I did not negotiate and just let the deadline stand.

I am tired of all these advices that make it sound as if asking excessive bonuses and money does not give off bad impressions. It actually does.