As we stand amid four computer monitors that surround his workspace, ones McLaughlin uses to monitor multiple online auctions, he points out batches of smartphones being bid on in real time on websites such as Cellpex.com and TheWirelessBuzz.com.
"Here's one worth calling on," he says, pointing to a lot of 200 phones being offered for $400 each.
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To do it, FreedomPop has gone to Mission Hills Auctioneers in San Diego and bought handsets at the docks in nearby Long Beach — cash only! — for pennies on the dollar.