'Staplegate': Nintendo Switch 2 damaged by StopGame employee goes under the hammer for $250,000

The incident, dubbed "Staplegate", began in June at a GameStop shop in Staten Island - an employee accidentally stapled a receipt directly to a Nintendo Switch 2 box, damaging the device's screen. Instead of simply apologising and replacing it, GameStop decided to turn the situation around and turn the corporate gaffe into an action - creating a charity auction on eBay.

The bundle up for auction includes:

• A refurbished Nintendo Switch 2
• A box with a punctured hole in it
• Stapler
• The staple
• A certificate of authenticity signed by StopGame CEO Ryan Cohen

At the time the auction ended, the announced amount was $250,000 - that's 500 times the retail price of the new Switch 2 and sparked a lot of discussion online.

The way the situation was handled turned out to be an example of a successful brand reputational reboot and a smart PR move: GameStop not only smoothed out the negativity, but also received an emotional response from the audience - all for an important charitable cause. The proceeds will go to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals for Children.

Source: StopGame