They're hoping to somehow talk $135k guy into it.

They'll bait the hook with things like "unlimited" PTO because there is a chance the reason you're interviewing is for an easier work environment, not more pay.

It won't work most of the time but that's why it's called fishing and not catching.

I think that's the implication, yeah. Seems like this guy needs to get taken out on a walk to the end of the pier on a nice day. Go see all the pretty fishes. Maybe watch the sunset.

So you waste your time interviewing the 135k guy and he obviously rejects your shitty offer?

Not just your time, your and the candidate's time.

yes, so they can then post about how nobody wants to work anymore

Charitably the best i can come up with at least the business would know they're not offering enough if people keep rejecting them. But then that's the status quo and all evidence points to wage suppression so clearly they're just making up bullshit to justify wage suppression.

My wife applied to a job this weekend, no salary mentioned at all and a required field on the form was her salary expectation that would only permit a single number, no letters, not a range.