If you're only getting those kind of candidates, then your job offer isn't attractive enough.

then the pendulum swings the other way and now I have ruthless mercenaries chasing $$$ who will jump at the first opportunity

and not every job needs to be top-shelf.

Betty in Accounts-Payable just sorta needs to be there and not screw up too often. I don't need a super-star, and if we have to move her to another part of Accounting that's fine; I'll save my money for a solid CPA or two, etc.