How to Juggle Multiple Job Offers

I'm so upset! I had a job offer Tuesday from company A. The job is close to home, but the pay is very minimal and the hours are only part time and I really need a full time position. I informed them that I needed a few days to consider the offer. I had a THIRD interview already scheduled for Thursday with company B in a position in line with my education and previous employment history. At my 2nd interview with company B they told me about the basic compensation and that the position was full time (Mon-Fri 9-5) which was great for me! During my 3rd interview everything was left on a VERY positive note and I left with no doubt in my mind that the position was mine. They told me they would contact me with an offer that afternoon or 1st thing the following morning. I was sitting by the phone waiting and waiting this morning reading these posts and finally just after 5 the company B emailed me with an offer that was much less than I was originally told the salary would be. I don't know what to do! I'm afraid that I let the less appealing offer A go because I waited too long for company B. And I don't know if it's going to be worth my time to try to negotiate with company B after they misguided me and didn't even give me the courtesy of a phone call. It instead was a very impersonal email sent right as they closed.

Melissa of OH 6:41PM October 05, 2012

Interviewed with 4 companies, (A,B,C,D) around the same time. Received an offer from Company A. Pay was a bit low. Contacted all the folks with pending decisions, 2 (B,C) had chosen other candidates, 1 was still considering people and was less responsive "though I ranked among the top" at Company D. Attempted to negotiate but out of fear of the economy, accepted a lower salary than I should have, still a great place. Started the following week, and really dug into the org and have been making huge contributions, very early. People are impressed, first in, last to leave etc... 3 weeks later, a Company D another good company, just a bit slower hiring process I guess, comes with an offer $30k higher and similar benefits. (ARGH!!)... I would be more than happy to stay at Company A if they even met near halfway on the deal, I don't want to break their bank or anything..but I also don't want to just give notice and leave without giving them an opportunity to see what can be done as I like my team. But another $2k per month after taxes, is not something a man starting a new family can simply ignore. What to do?! I don't want to come off as extortionist, but this is business, is there a way to meet in the middle on this?

LuckyDudeSorta 7:34PM September 01, 2012