Yes, Agree, face to face. 只要掌握谈判的精华, 用啥方法都中.

Do negotiate face to face with the decision maker is what I learned from my HR.

I did a successfull face to face negotiation after I left Physics and found the first IT job.

I also did successfull negotiation by phone from Texa with VP in California.

And I did several more negoation on the phone in California in these years.

I prefer talk either face to face or by phone.

Some friends use email, also get good raise. Good sample emails are: 小鱼儿, 草酶派, Steven's Mom, etc. I archived these 黄金 emails in my website, you can get them.

最终, 只要掌握谈判的精华, 用啥方法都中.