How GameStop Turned a Switch 2 Stapler Disaster Into a $15,000 Charity Win
GameStop Turns Switch 2 Stapler Fiasco Into a Charity Win
GameStop’s recent Switch 2 release hit a bump when some consoles arrived with receipts stapled right onto their screens. What looked like a PR disaster has surprisingly flipped into a positive story, with the retailer raising thousands of dollars for charity from the incident.
- The stapled Switch 2 consoles caused a stir but were limited to one store in Staten Island, NYC.
- GameStop quickly addressed the problem by replacing affected units and offering a 20% trade-in bonus.
- The retailer is now auctioning off the original stapler and the first damaged console to benefit charity.
- Over $15,000 has been raised so far for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
From Mistake to Customer Care
Console launches are big deals, especially for specialty stores like GameStop. So when news broke that hundreds of Switch 2 consoles had receipts stapled to their brand-new screens, alarm bells rang. Would customers cancel their $500 pre-orders? Could this hurt GameStop’s reputation?
Fortunately, the issue was localized to one Staten Island store and only affected a few dozen customers. GameStop acted fast, pulling extra stock from nearby stores and allowing affected customers to swap their stapled Switch 2 units for fresh consoles. On social media, they even made light of the situation with a post referencing the film Office Space: “Staplers have been confiscated.”
Smart Promotions and Clever PR
The very next day, GameStop launched a promotion offering a 20% trade-in bonus for anyone bringing in a Switch 2 with a receipt from another retailer. This move was unusual since promotions rarely require receipts, and it seemed like a cheeky way to influence search results around “GameStop” and “receipt.”
“Staplegate” Auction for Charity
Now, over a month later, GameStop is embracing the incident—nicknamed “Staplegate”—by auctioning off the infamous stapler, the first damaged console, its box, and the original staple. All proceeds go to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
So far, the auction has raised $15,000, with six days left and more than 100 bids placed. GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen even signed a humorous letter of authenticity that reads: “While the incident itself was unfortunate, we hope its legacy serves a greater purpose.”
This unexpected twist shows how a potential disaster can turn into a feel-good story with a bit of creativity and goodwill.
The infamous Switch 2 Stapler is now available for auction. Proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.https://t.co/n7LMqFzKjz pic.twitter.com/XPqjijM1WE
— GameStop (@gamestop) July 9, 2025
