...

You don't want to work for these companies.

I'm sure this is true, but most companies don't want this either. They lose money and waste time when this happens -- if they waited until the end to discuss salary (like they should be).

Some companies will try to feel you out for salary right off the bat in order to "weed out" anyone who would ask for too much money, and you need to always resist this.

Why do you resist talking about salary until the end?

Your bargaining position is much better once they've already decided they want to hire you. Talking about salary first lets the company cheap out and only spend that effort on people they are reasonably sure won't ask for what they're worth.

This is why so many places have a "Salary Expectations" box or something similar on their interest form. Some will even try to brow beat you into saying a number. Never do this until they've named a number first. This puts pressure on them to offer something reasonable right off the bat, instead of having the pressure on you to not ask too high.

An HR functionary doing a preliminary phone screen might dismiss a candidate who asks $135k for a position with a $100-130k range.

A hiring manager, after having offered $130k, would never do something that stupid.

The strategy is meant to introduce more sunk costs in the hiring process. They spent forever buttering up the candidate, and now they hear a number that is more than they were hoping for.

The less they need you, the less this is likely to matter. But if they really need you then of course your price is high!

Further, those people are loser PHBs whose antisocial behaviors drive away good talent. Their behavior will eventually catch up with them.

I don't want to work for those people. I'll keep negotiating to win when it comes to salary.