I guess getting figuratively hit in the face with a pie is "valuable feedback."

This feels like dickering with a street vendor in a 3rd-world bazaar.

Reminiscent of the scene in Casablanca when Ingrid Bergman is considering buying some lace and the vendor quotes an astronomical price initially, only to drastically reduce it when Bogart walks up.

Ed has not made a drastic change from his original offer, but the concept remains the same. Shoot for the moon initially, then react to the resistance.