Brenthaven interview questions

I applied through LinkedIn and was contacted the next day by their HR person. He setup an in person meeting with the Creative Director and Head of Marketing. Everything moved very fast, and the interview itself went really well. However, afterwards things got a little weird. Once I started to learn more about the role I immediately saw red flags popping up. While I was asking follow up questions I discovered that they were interviewing to replace another freelance designer currently working there who "just didn't have enough experience". I understood this to mean that the designer was currently in the process of leaving and that must be why they were moving so fast with interviews. Brenthaven's offices are very small and have an open plan. While they were giving me a tour they actually introduced me to this designer and spoke to her as if I could be her new partner. I quickly realized that she had no idea she was being replaced. This did not sit well with me at all. To make matters more insulting, they of course had advertised competitive pay. When I quoted them my hourly rate, the same rate I charge all my clients, and a rate I was not about to lower after visiting their offices, they declined to extend an offer. Which I think was for the best.

Was interviewed over the phone by the current store manager, then called in for a face to face with her and director of HR. Was told directly that I am a "great fit," and that their offer would be "competitive."