Q:

Can I contact a company directly about an opening I've learned about from an incompetent recruiter?

I've been recently contacted by an external recruiter working for a medium-sized company.
The company is new but legitimate and their projects are both impressive and highly relevant to my previous experience.
Furthermore, after the initial exchange the recruiter told me that they forwarded my resume to the company's hiring manager and the manager liked it.
Then it fell apart.
Instead of getting me connected with the manager and starting the expected interviewing process, the recruiter started bargaining about the salary (as in, asking for my expectations and then trying to convince me it should be lower). They were trying to hide any details about the opening whatsoever (presumably so I couldn't find it online, but I may be wrong on this one). They tried setting up a couple of phone calls to discuss "some details", but failed to show up for the calls.
All in all, the recruiter's behaviour appears manipulative and unprofessional.
I'm about to say I'm no longer interested because frankly I've had enough. On the other hand, however, the company interests me and I would like to have an opportunity to apply to this and future openings directly.
Would it be acceptable in my circumstances to apply directly if I were to say "no" to the recruiter, or would this be highly unethical? I don't mind mentioning the recruiter's name in my application, but I simply don't want to deal with that person any more.

(I've researched similar questions on the website, most notably this one, but couldn't find one that fully reflects the situation I am in.)
Another question was suggested as a duplicate but it is quite different as well. It discusses a scenario where 1) the recruiter's message was not unsolicited (yet in my case I was contacted out of the blue), 2) the recruiter acts with integrity (not the case here), but 3) the candidate does not want to pay the commission fee in hopes to get a higher salary (that is not the reason I want to circumvent them).

A:

You should disclose the fact you've learned of the opportunity from the recruiter (at least at some point of the process, be it formally or informally within an interview) and explain why you didn't pursue the opportunity through them further.
Then, they get to decide for themselves what their obligations towards said recruiter are. I imagine they would like to at least be prepared in case the recruiter decides to pursue action against the company should you be hired with them being left out, since they most likely have a contractual obligation.

A:

If you are reasonably certain of the company and the position I would probably recommend going around the recruiter. I know from personal experience that recruiters run their own game sometimes to the detriment of both applicant and company. I have been seriously misrepresented by recruiters before.
So go ahead, but be sure to not just drop a CV - you need a cover letter. Feel free to use / change any of the following: 

Dear Mx,
I write to present my interest in position X. Attached is my resume,
  and I have highlighted some points that are relevant for position X. I
  believe my experience in Y and my developing skills in Z are a good
  match and I believe I will be able to further develop as position X
  for your company.

Alternative 1

I have been contacted by a recruiter, R, about this position. I chose
  to contact you directly because I suspect that R is being disingenuous
  to the point of possibly misrepresenting C (the company). Position X
  seems like a good opportunity for both me and C, and I contact you in
  good faith directly to avoid having technicalities and bureaucracy
  disturb this opportunity.

Alternative 2 a very good indirect approach w/ more finesse by @timbstoke

I'm already in discussions regarding this position via R, but their
  busy schedule has caused them to miss a few of our appointments. As
  these were primarily to discuss the specifics of the role, I felt that
  contacting you directly may be more productive than a protracted
  discussion via an intermediary

And as always, a polite and formal end

Looking forward to your reply, 
Sincerely, Applicant A

But in all honesty, YMMV - we are somewhat off course of regular process here. This is something I would consider doing if I was in your situation. Good luck in any case.

A:

If you are in the US going around the recruiting agency might not work--often times the contract that the hiring companies sign with the recruiting agencies state that if they hire someone within $LIMIT amount of time after the agency submits a resume they owe the fee anyway. 
What I would suggest is to first contact someone higher up in the recruiting agency and tell them that you're having problems with the recruiter--specifically mentioning not showing up for the phone calls, etc. 
In my experience there are usually at least 2 people in the agency working the position. One person works with the hiring company, the other works with the potential candidates. You might want to try to get to this second person and speak directly with them. 
Only if that doesn't work would I consider going around the recruiter. I would make it clear in my initial contact with the hiring company that I know it's unusual and frowned on, but I was having this problem with the recruiting company and don't want to buck the system too much but would really like an opportunity to interview for the job. Acknowledge somehow that they're probably going to have to still deal with the recruiting agency etc. 

