Approached by a recruiter. Was given a job description alongside a salary range of 40-50k. I was asked what my minimum would be and then soon after I was given an interview. It felt very straightforward and I enjoyed it. The same day they ask me again what I would be willing to accept. I say 45 but would like it to go to 50k after probation is over. I am told that they have another candidate and they will offer him 41k and if I accept 45k the role will be mine. I was still very excited about the position so I said I will be happy with that. The next day I get told they levered me to get the other candidate to drop to 38k, and if I was willing to accept 40k the role will still be mine. I declined the offer as I made it clear from the beginning what my expectation is and this should've been well within their range. This left a very bitter taste in my mouth and it feels like I might have dodged a bullet if this is the way they operate.