The phone screen with HR was easy and friendly and I felt very comfortable and confident during the in-person interview. Everyone was friendly and approachable. I received an offer. During the offer phone call I asked the HR representative if the pay rate was negotiable. She responded yes and we had a 5 minute conversation about it. We settled on a number (a $0.50 /hr increase)and she told me I should hear back by the end of the day or early the next business day. Three business days later she told me that upper management was reviewing the details and I should hear very soon. At the end of the next day I received a call that not only was my request denied, but that they would be retracting the whole offer. There is clearly a lack of transparency and communication between management and HR. If I had been told that pay was not negotiable I would have accepted the initial offer, but since I was told it was negotiable I tried to get my current pay matched. I was then strung along for 4 business days while, instead of reviewing the negotiation or communicating with HR or myself, upper management was no doubt finishing the background check on another candidate.