You Ordered Premium Steak, They Delivered Hamburger: The VA Agency Model Exposed

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I just got off the phone with a client who was furious.

They’d been paying $3,000 a month for a “premium” virtual assistant through an embedded model agency. On paper, it sounded great: dedicated support, full-time availability, and a polished onboarding experience.

But six months in, the work quality had dropped off a cliff. Tasks were getting missed. Communication was inconsistent. Deadlines slipped.

When they looked closer, they realized the VA was only being paid a fraction of what they were spending, less than $500 a month.

The rest? Pocketed by the agency.

It wasn’t just a bad experience. It was a complete misalignment of expectations and incentives.

They thought they were paying for a $3,000/month professional. 

What they actually got was a $5/hour assistant with no incentive to stick around, no budget for training, and no visibility into how their work was being managed.

That’s not just a bad deal, it’s a waste of time, money, and trust.

The Embedded Model Trap

Here's how the embedded model works:

• You pay the agency $3,000/month for a "premium" VA

• The agency keeps $2,500

• The actual worker gets just $500

You're paying for NBA All-Star talent but getting bench-warmer performance. You're expecting Nikola Jokić but getting a D-III college player.

The Expectation vs. Reality Gap

When you pay $25/hour through an agency, you expect $25/hour quality. But if your VA is only seeing $5/hour of that money:

• Training gap: They can't afford additional education or certifications

• Motivation gap: They know they're being severely underpaid

• Retention gap: They'll leave the moment a better offer comes along

It's like ordering a premium steak and getting served a hamburger. The price doesn't match the product.

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Why This Matters For Your Business

This misalignment creates serious problems:

• Wasted time: You spend months training someone who leaves

• Inconsistent quality: Work that starts strong gradually deteriorates

• Hidden costs: The true cost isn't just money. It's your reputation with clients

How To Avoid Getting Burned

1. Ask direct questions: "What percentage of my payment goes directly to the worker?"

2. Verify experience: Request detailed work histories and samples

3. Consider direct hiring: Work with recruiters who connect you directly with talent

4. Test before committing: Start with small projects to verify quality matches price

When you work with Go Carpathian, we operate differently. We charge a flat recruiting fee and you hire the talent directly. No markups, no middleman skimming 80% off the top.

Your VA gets paid what you agree to pay them, creating alignment between cost and quality.

Our process is designed for speed without sacrificing quality:

• We show qualified candidates within 2 days of onboarding

• 50% of our clients hire the first candidate we introduce them to

Let’s talk about hiring your next VA!

Free Discovery Call with Recruiting Specialist

Until next time,

Nathan

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