"The recruiter said base is capped" — the exact reply to send
Short answer
"Capped" almost always means capped at the band the recruiter has been told to work to — not capped at the company. Reply with one email that (1) asks for the cap to be confirmed in writing, (2) re-anchors on Levels.fyi, and (3) immediately pivots to RSU and signing as the recovery levers. That is how you recover real year-one value without re-litigating base.
The 3-step pivot script
- Get the cap in writing. Ask the recruiter to confirm "base is capped at $X for this band" by email. This forces precision — and often surfaces room.
- Re-anchor on Levels.fyi. If the cap they confirm is below the 50th percentile for your level/city, the cap is wrong. Quote the row.
- Pivot to RSU + signing. Recalculate your ask: if you wanted +$15k base, ask for +$40k RSU (4-year) and +$10k signing instead. Total value is comparable; recruiter's path to yes is wider.
The exact email to send
Hi [RECRUITER],
Thanks for letting me know base is capped at the current number. Two quick things:
1. Could you confirm in writing that $[CAPPED_BASE] is the ceiling for [LEVEL] in [CITY]? Levels.fyi shows the band at $[LOW]–$[HIGH] for that level/city — just want to make sure we're aligned on the same band.
2. If base is fixed, I'd like to revisit RSU and signing — they typically have more flex anyway. Could you come back on:
• RSU (4-yr): target $RSU_TARGET (current: $OFFERED_RSU)
• Signing: target $SIGN_TARGET (current: $OFFERED_SIGN)
The total package would land closer to the band for the role. I'm flexible on which lever moves — happy with either.
Could you come back by [DATE — 3 business days]?
Thanks,
[YOUR_NAME]
Don't write this email at 11pm on a Sunday.
The Counter-Offer Kit has this exact pivot email, plus 4 more: the 3-lever counter, the competing-offer push, the low-offer reply, and the exploding-deadline buy-time email.
Get the Counter-Offer Kit → $7 Instant PDF · 30-day money-back guaranteeWhat NOT to say
- "Okay, that works." — instantly closes the cycle and gives up the levers that still move.
- "Then I'll have to pass." — bluffs are called. Don't threaten unless you'll walk.
- "Can you ask your manager?" — too vague. Ask for the band confirmation in writing.
- Going silent for 24+ hours. Reply same-day to keep the cycle hot.
An illustrative example
Mid SWE was told "base is capped at $175k." They sent the pivot email asking for +$50k RSU and +$15k signing instead. Recruiter came back: same base, +$40k RSU, +$15k signing. +$55k of value with one reply — after being told "base is capped, that's the offer."
Before you accept the cap — quick check
- Do you have the cap confirmed in writing?
- Have you re-anchored on Levels.fyi for the same level + city?
- Do you have a target number for RSU and signing pivots?
If you answered no to any of these, you're not done. Send the pivot email first.
Related reads
FAQ
What does "base is capped" actually mean?
It means base is capped at the band the recruiter has been told to work to — not capped at the company. Asking for a re-band, or pivoting to RSU and signing, almost always opens room.
Can I appeal a capped base to the hiring manager?
Yes — but indirectly. Ask the recruiter to confirm the band ceiling in writing, then ask whether the hiring manager can request a band exception. Do not contact the manager around the recruiter.
Should I walk if base is truly capped?
Usually not right away. RSU and signing often have more flex than base at tech companies. Get the cap in writing, then push the levers that move — walk only if the whole package stays short of your researched floor.