From being the face of memestock mania to going viral for inadvertently stapling the screens of brand-new video game consoles, GameStop is no stranger to infamy.
Last month, during the midnight release of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, employees at GameStop’s Staten Island location punctured both the cardboard packaging and screens of some devices in a single motion—while stapling customers’ receipts. Although the company replaced the damaged devices, the incident quickly went viral on social media.
Now, in typical GameStop fashion, the company is selling what it calls “authentic relics from the now-infamous ‘Staplegate’ incident,” launching an eBay auction on July 9 starting at $1.
“Sometimes the universe hands you a stapler and says, ‘Run with it.’ So we did—for a good cause,” a company spokesperson tells Fast Company.
The stapler in question is described in the listing as having “authentic field-use wear throughout.” In the spokesperson’s words, “The stapler now stands as a retail legend born from a half-second decision.”
At the time of this writing, the listing had received more than 200 bids, the highest reaching $122,800. According to the company, all proceeds will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
In addition to the stapler, the listing includes “the first known console to be officially stapled during a product launch by GameStop,” the stapled box, the removed single staple, and a certificate of authenticity signed by GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen.
The auction aligns with GameStop’s history of unconventional decisions—including the announcement earlier this year that the company would invest its cash, equity issuances, and future debt into Bitcoin.
The listing gained nearly 250,000 views within its first 24 hours and is rapidly gaining traction on social media, in part due to comments made by the CEO.
“If this reaches six figures I will include my underwear,” Cohen said on X.
When the listing surpassed $100,000, he promised another “prize”: “If this reaches seven figures I will fly the winner to Miami, take them to McDonald’s for lunch and personally deliver my preowned underwear.”
Users on social media have flooded the post’s comment section, sharing AI-generated images of the proposed transaction and asking questions.
“Important detail needed: Used or laundered?” one person replied on X.
As to the state of the CEO’s undergarments, the GameStop spokesperson tells Fast Company: “The winner will have to find out.”
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