GameStop's promotional 'Trade Anything Day' on December 6, 2025, resulted in over 80,000 unusual trades across U.S. stores, with customers offering everything from taxidermied animals to a can of whoop-ass for $5 store credit. The event aimed to boost awareness of the retailer's trade-in program while collecting donations for food banks. Employees faced awkward situations, including rejected attempts to trade pets and personal documents.
Event Overview
GameStop launched 'Trade Anything Day' on December 6, 2025, allowing customers to trade almost any non-hazardous item for a $5 coupon toward in-store purchases. The stunt, intended to highlight the company's trade-in services, drew widespread participation and viral attention. According to GameStop, stores processed more than 80,000 trades nationwide, with the Deptford, New Jersey location leading at over 250 submissions.
Bizarre Trade-Ins
Participants brought in an array of odd items, many shared by GameStop on social media. Accepted trades included a taxidermied bobcat and goose, a speed limit sign, a Wii Netflix installation disc, a bowling ball, a tiny Jesus figurine, Air Jordans, a full creepy doll collection, complete Friends VHS tapes, a 'happy heater,' a framed dog portrait, and even a literal can of whoop-ass. Food donations were encouraged for local food banks and pet shelters, resulting in items like canned Pokémon-themed soup, Vienna sausages, and non-alcoholic cider for employees.
One standout non-item was a thank-you note on Kirby Post-It stationery, which read: 'To the dudes @ GameStop, I hope your day has been well. I’m sorry that they are trying to trade in garbage. That sucks and I hope no one in this area did that. I also hope you are doing well as people outside of GameStop. Stay sane and happy holidays.' An employee responded, 'This is worth so much more than $5. Thank you.'
Rejections and Challenges
Not all attempts succeeded. GameStop rejected trades of live or dead animals beyond taxidermy, such as a customer's dog, as tweeted by the company: 'Exclusions include dead or alive animals (Taxidermy items are valid for trade).' Other declines included a Social Security card and a plastic spoon or leaf with a drawn face. Employees reported chaotic scenes on Reddit, including a bin of over 100 video games hiding an adult film disc and a customer slapping a dildo on the counter in front of children, leading to store tensions.
The promotion limited participants to one trade per person, but the influx created headaches for staff managing inspections and disposals. While the fate of collected items remains unclear, the event underscored GameStop's meme-stock era flair amid efforts to engage customers creatively.