Negotiate salary after job offer

[chrispra]

I'd like to write a letter to a company that has offered me a position, however, the salary is not what was discussed in the interview. This interview was very informal and definite pay amount was not discussed (only a range).
Not sure how to word the letter. I don't want to disqualify myself. If this is the best the company can do, I might very well settle on their quoted amount (however I have been making much more )
Kris

[cassa333]

Dear XXXX

Thank you for your offer of employment as xxxxxxx. I would like to take up the postion however before I do I would like to clarify the remuneration package.

I under stood the pay band to be ��� to ��� and with my experience and expertize feel that an offer nearer ��� would be more appropriate.

I would very much like to work with you and hope we can clarify this to our mutual benifit.

Yours etc

(better check my spelling though)

[buildersmate]

The above is OK if you know the pay bands but interviewees are rarely in a privileged enough position to be able to know all this at this stage (not true in the public sector - that generally make every band available to all and sundry). What about

Dear XXXX

Thank you for your offer of employment as xxxxxxx. I am very enthusiastic about the prospect of joining the company and feel that my knowledge and experience would add much to the organisation.

However the salary that you have offered is less than discussed during our interview. I would like to ask if you will reconsider this aspect of the renumeration package as I feel my skills are worthy of �xyz in the market place.

Yours sincerely,

I think this more direct than Cassa's suggestion - it isn't about 'clarification' - its about stating that you consider you are worth more. It also doesn't say you won't join, but restates that you are very keen to join - but there is a problem...............
I suggest you name a figure but bear in mind they may well come back with a counter-offer - which probably at that point won't be shifted further - so name a figure that you might be happy to move down from.
Don't accept the unchanged offer, but a review after 3 months. say. It gets you hooked in, without the real prospect in the increase after 3 months - its an old trick.