GameStop has cleverly turned its Nintendo Switch 2 launch night mishap into a memorable event. They’re auctioning the notorious black stapler responsible for damaging several Switch 2 screens at their Staten Island, New York store. The funds raised will benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and with six days left, bids have already topped $100,000.
The stapler is up for auction on eBay and includes a certificate of authenticity, the first refurbished Nintendo Switch 2 with its screen previously punctured, and the original packaging complete with staple marks.
Describing it as an “authentic relic from the now-infamous ‘Staplegate’ incident,” GameStop highlights the enthusiasm of a store associate who unintentionally stapled a receipt to a customer’s new Nintendo Switch 2, piercing both the box and screen.
The listing humorously notes the stapler’s “authentic field-use wear,” retiring it as a “retail legend” from this swift mishap. Last month, customers found their Switch 2 screens stapled through due to a single employee’s error. GameStop promptly replaced the affected consoles.
In response, GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen commented: “While the incident itself was unfortunate, we hope its legacy serves a greater purpose.” Interestingly, Cohen has promised to include a pair of his own undergarments if bids exceed six figures. Currently, the auction is at $111,269.00 with 188 bids and 228,167 views in the past day.
What began as a retail blunder has been ingeniously reshaped into a social media victory and charity opportunity, demonstrating how a mistake can contribute positively to a worthy cause.
