That's a very common struggle. You're trying to **maximize ROI on salary**, but you're finding that low cost often means low quality and poor communication. The issue isn't geography; it's **vetting**. You can't hire cheap and expect consistent first-world standards. Here’s the short advice: **Stop interviewing. Start testing.** 1. **Run a Paid Test Project:** Filter all applicants with a small, paid task ($100-$300) that requires good communication and following clear instructions. This immediately filters for attitude and quality. 2. **Focus on Accountability:** In your vetting, ask about past mistakes. High-ROI hires **own their errors** and focus on solutions, not excuses. You find $10K value for $3K by **testing their work**, not relying on their resume.