There's no shame in testing the waters. Tell recruiters you want $X and you aren't flexible. There's a chance they will deal both sides of the table to get a deal done and when that happens you are leaving money on the table.
This assumes you're interested in actually polling the market. If you're desperate then your bargaining position is weak.
This assumes you're interested in actually polling the market. If you're desperate then your bargaining position is weak.