[mikester]

I have accepted a counter offer in the past but I did not stay with that company long term.

If the problems that lead to you looking for something else still exist after the counter offer then I would not stay.

In my situation, which there is a thread about (and each situation is unique) I was offered a job somewhere I didn't really want to work. The job I was in was in danger, the counter offer removed me from being in danger and upped my salary and put a bunch of money in my pocket. Ultimately however the problems did still exist, had the job I was offered been better I would have taken it without looking back.

Finally, about 9 months later I was offered my dream job (which I have now) and I could not be happier.

The folks who made me the counter offer worked hard to keep me at that time and they were upset when I left. They still hold a grudge, I still do interface with them from a business perspective. With that in mind, I would say taking a counter offer leaves you at a disadvantage and pisses a lot of folks off. it's a small world so I would make sure that you have yourself protected with some sort of contract, agreement or bonus structure so that if something wonky does happen - you're income is protected.

Make sure you communicate as much as you can to whomever you're screwing because counter offers cause bad blood and again - it is a very small world.

Just sayin...