GameStop’s ‘Trade Anything Day’ Delivers a Wild Mix of Surprises and Shenanigans

When you invite gamers to trade in their unwanted items for $5 coupons, you can expect some wild submissions. GameStop’s recent “Trade Anything Day” took this concept to a whole new level, with participants attempting to exchange everything from sex toys to pets for store credit, which could be used for other quirky items like Funko Pops. This promotional event sparked a mix of viral moments and chaos for employees on the front lines.

While the guidelines prohibited hazardous materials, medications, and certain electronics, they encouraged the trading of bizarre items, including taxidermy. Unsurprisingly, some customers took this to heart, with GameStop sharing images of a stuffed bobcat and a half-eaten goose. But those were just the tip of the iceberg.

Reports surfaced of customers trying to trade in a Netflix disc for a Wii, a replica of the Declaration of Independence, and even a plastic spoon. Some oddball items were rejected, like a Social Security card and a dog. One streamer humorously noted that GameStop had a strict policy against trading in live or deceased animals.

As the social media buzz grew, employees had to deal with the fallout. One staff member recounted a customer arriving with a massive bin filled with games, only to discover an explicit adult film disc hidden among them. Another employee shared a story about a customer who slapped a dildo on the counter, prompting a swift ejection from the store due to the presence of children.

In a lighter twist, one customer attempted to trade in a leaf with a face drawn on it, which was declined, while another successfully traded a piece of lint for store credit. Food items were also on the table, as long as they weren’t perishable. Some stores even encouraged donations of canned goods for local food drives, leading to trades that included Pokémon-themed Campbell’s soup and even McDonald’s BBQ sauce.

The standout trade, however, was a heartfelt thank-you note written on a Kirby Post-It, expressing sympathy for the chaos of the day. One employee remarked that the note was worth far more than the $5 credit it represented, highlighting the unexpected kindness amidst the madness.