I really don't think you should look for a competing offer unless you're
willing to accept that offer if you don't get what you want from your
current employer.
That mostly sounds like whining after you were handed a warm (or better!) prospect and screwed up the sale.
Also, unless you're one of the very very few companies that are honest in their job descriptions, offer a good work environment, and release the salary plus comp on offer at the beginning of the negotiation rather than the end, you're wasting a candidate's time just as much as he or she is wasting yours, if you choose to view it that way.
You need to get straight who you're replying to. I'm not the guy who said he's having problems hiring. I'm somebody else. I've never hired anybody. I've only looked for jobs.
I'm asking you an honest question here. Would you, personally, engage another company about a job that you don't have the intention of taking, in order to gain leverage over your current company?
I can't see myself as being willing to do such a thing, but I'm interested in the thought processes of someone who would. Maybe I'm operating under false pretenses. You don't know unless you ask.
And I'm asking you an honest question: if a prospect walks in your door, do you either (1) sell them, or (2) demand they prove they are in the market and aren't wasting your time. Maybe that person has a 5% chance of closing, or maybe they have a 90% chance. Nonetheless, when you go with the "prove you aren't wasting my time" plan, the probabilities plummet.
Also, unless you're one of the very very few companies that are honest in their job descriptions, offer a good work environment, and release the salary plus comp on offer at the beginning of the negotiation rather than the end, you're wasting a candidate's time just as much as he or she is wasting yours, if you choose to view it that way.