How GameStop Turned a Stapler Mishap into a $250K Auction Win

GameStop's 'Staplegate' Incident: Damaged Nintendo Switch 2 Auctions for $250,000

On July 16, 2025, GameStop announced that a damaged Nintendo Switch 2 console from the infamous "Staplegate" mishap sold for $250,000 in a charity auction on eBay, turning a retail blunder into a viral fundraising success.

 The auction, which included the punctured console, its original packaging, the offending stapler, the staple itself, and a GameStop-authenticated certificate of authenticity, benefited Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, with all proceeds directed to the charity.

 Originally priced at $499.99, the item fetched 500 times its retail value, highlighting the collectible frenzy around gaming memorabilia and GameStop's pivot toward collector culture.

What Happened in 'Staplegate'?

The incident occurred during the midnight launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 28, 2025, at a GameStop store in Staten Island, New York.

 An "overenthusiastic" employee stapled purchase receipts directly onto the console boxes, damaging multiple units by puncturing the packaging and, in some cases, the devices themselves.

 Videos and photos of the stapled boxes went viral on social media, dubbing the event "Staplegate" in a nod to historical scandals.

 GameStop quickly capitalized on the buzz by auctioning one of the affected items, starting bids at $499.99 and watching them soar to $250,000 by the auction's close earlier today.

 The company had announced the auction about a week ago, framing it as a "retail legend."

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen humorously commented on the event, calling it a "retail legend" and joking about adding his underwear to the lot if bids exceeded $100,000.

 This aligns with GameStop's strategic shift away from traditional hardware sales—down ~30% year-over-year in Q1 2025—toward high-margin areas like collectibles, which saw a 55% revenue increase.

Reactions and Broader Impact

The story exploded on X (formerly Twitter), with users sharing memes, auction updates, and praise for GameStop's clever turnaround.

 Posts highlighted the auction's eBay listing (item ID: 388688595731), where bids climbed steadily, reaching $249,900 with hours remaining before hitting the final $250,000.

 Some users speculated on tax benefits for the company, suggesting the donation could qualify for deductions.

 The event also drew media coverage, emphasizing how GameStop transformed negative publicity into positive PR and charity funds.

This "Staplegate" saga underscores the power of viral marketing in gaming, boosting GameStop's image amid its meme stock legacy and ongoing business evolution.

 With the Nintendo Switch 2's recent launch still fresh, collectors and fans continue to drive demand for unique items like this.

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