Chapter 93: Crazy Dividends

The three auction formats were arranged in sequence, each serving a clear, deliberate purpose.

The first phase auctioned essential daily items. Even secondhand, these had high practical value. As long as prices weren’t excessive, people accepted them.

Its rule was a rush auction—whoever raised their hand first won. This triggered impulsive behavior; many raised hands without fully deciding if they needed the item.

Only the first to raise their hand succeeded; the rest failed. This ingrained a mindset: if you want something, you must act immediately.

The second phase was a bidding auction designed to signal a rough reasonable price for secondhand goods—typically 50% to 70% of the original price.

Everyone internalized this range, forming a baseline for what secondhand items should cost.

With activated buying impulses and clearer price expectations, the third phase became an unusual focal point.

Even those not intending to buy mentally assigned values to the items—an automatic, real-time valuation process.

When prices dipped below a certain threshold, a trigger opened, and buying impulses surged, fueled by the prospect of unusually high gains.

This reverse auction was similar to the second phase: if only one person bid, an entire house could sell for ten Sol.

The difference lay in human complexity and selfishness—core to Lynch’s secondhand auction.

When prices matched expectations, people panicked, worried others would snatch the item, causing hesitation.

If someone raised their hand to buy, others raised their valuation by about 5%.

Moreover, all items in the third phase were brand-new, unused products, heightening buyers’ desire for goods that might otherwise seem unnecessary.

Guided by the first two phases, the third phase generated real profits, featuring flashy, hard-to-sell secondhand items that suddenly became sought-after.

With the first item sold, the second followed quickly, priced slightly higher. Most subsequent items sold at 55% to 60% of original value.

Only a few truly insignificant items dropped to around 30%.

Lynch knew his auction was a success. The huge sales volume and revenue would draw public attention; even without much promotion, next week’s auction would be packed.

Curiosity drives intelligent beings—people would come to see what kind of auction caused such frenzy.

Originally set to end at 6 p.m., the auction dragged past 7. Because of daylight savings, it got dark later, but Lynch arranged high-powered lighting to keep items visible.

The host, under the bright lights, worked only briefly before tears streamed down his face. He gritted his teeth to finish, and Lynch paid him an extra two hundred as overtime compensation.

After one thousand belts were claimed, the auction concluded.

Warehouse management took over cleanup; paid for professional service.

Lynch led everyone back to his office.

Vera was at the site, along with two accountants, a man and a woman around her age, who compiled the day’s sales.

In one afternoon, they sold over 490,000 in secondhand goods—almost half a million—a number that shocked everyone. No one expected secondhand items to generate such massive economic value.

Lynch nodded calmly. Just under 500,000 was a pity, but overall, he was satisfied.

Clearing his throat, he drew everyone’s attention. Reading their eager faces, he didn’t keep them waiting.

“A very successful day. No need for extra words—time to share the profits.”

He reviewed some spreadsheets. “We’ll set up an office emergency fund to collect all leftover change for unforeseen events…”

Everyone benefited, no objections arose, so it passed.

“490,000 minus 10% management fee leaves 441,000. How much did we pay for these goods?” Lynch asked Vera. The number was on the sheet, but he wanted her to say it.

“322459.5,” she answered promptly.

Lynch nodded. “Subtracting costs, our profit is about 120,000. We split it in half. You’ll each get roughly 60,000 in dividends, gentlemen!”

The young men cheered. Lynch smiled, asking Vera and team to prepare their accounts and distribute the profits.

Richard, along with Wood and the other young men, finally understood why Richard had praised Lynch like a prophet—he truly was a legend, a miracle maker of wealth.

Seventeen people shared 60,000. Even split, each got several thousand.

Working in a factory or typical company, they might take a year to earn that. Here, after just over a week with Lynch’s team, they made what others would need a year’s full effort to get.

The overwhelming surprise mixed with uncertainty flushed their faces red as they joyfully discussed the auction’s events. Lynch watched quietly.

About fifteen minutes later, Vera handed Lynch the spreadsheet. After thanking them for their hard work, Lynch told them to wait; he would treat them to a good meal soon.

Glancing at the spreadsheet, Lynch smiled slightly and shared it with others.

Before seeing it, everyone thought Wood would be sales champion—he sold a house. Some guessed Richard, who pushed many big-ticket items.

But unexpectedly, the sales champions were the kids—barely noticeable, almost invisible.

Even the kids couldn’t believe it—they barely did anything, just handed out flyers.

They didn’t hype clients like Richard or get lucky like Wood. How did they win?

Lynch knew. It was part of his plan. But he wanted them to discover it themselves. Only conclusions they reached on their own would become unshakable truth.