[madmads]

I think it's assumed that it's within reason and in situations where the ultimatum has the purpose of pushing you into a situation you would prefer not to be in. The WoW example is an example of dysfunctional behavior and the HR example is a routine process and not unexpected from the recipient nor is the cost of filling it in extreme. Your examples don't apply and it should be obvious why.

[paulddraper]

Absolutely.

Hence "never choose the one giving you an ultimatum" is weird advice.

[madmads]

Maybe if you sprinkle the advice with your own bit of reasoning it becomes usable, you don't have to take it as literally as written on the page.