On the cost of the audition: the programmer who is not employed at the moment may have two, three options to pursue, your company may be one one them. let's say there are two others: One willing to offer full time employment starting tomorrow morning, the second one willing to do 3-month contract-to-hire. The third, you, offer maybe paid audition. Unless your compensation is spectacular, he'll pick you third.
If he has only your offer to entertain, then he's not the best, is he?
If he has only your offer to entertain, then he's not the best, is he?
Oh, and on the talent scout model: absolutely.