GameStop slams 'trolls' who claim its 'trade-in value sucks' while celebrating record $30,000 payout for a Pokémon card (it admits it's still worth $3,000)
Blog Andrew Joseph 02 Dec , 2025 0
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GameStop highlighted its recent payment of more than $30,000 for a rare Pokémon card as evidence that the chain's trade-in program provided fair value, while acknowledging that the card was actually worth at least $3,000 more.
In its latest publicity stunt aimed at grabbing the attention of gamers, GameStop made a typically tongue-in-cheek statement on social media, announcing that its record $30,494.70 spend on the PSA 10 Holo Gengar was a “historic” moment for the company.
“Any trolls who publicly claim GameStop trade-in values are bad are factually and patently wrong,” the chain said. Wrote. “Any prior and ongoing objections to the value of our transaction are now deemed to be unfounded and effectively invalid,” it continued, while acknowledging that the card's actual value was $33,883, which was thousands more.
GameStop’s Statement pic.twitter.com/Qho0M7xzko
— GameStop (@gamestop) December 1, 2025
To be fair, GameStop didn't hide the fact that the price it paid for the card was $3,388.30 less than what it described as its “fair market valuation.” In fact, the company simply said it made the payment “after completing all necessary checks, verifications and compliance procedures” – a statement that seemed to suggest that these processes come at a cost.
But many responses to GameStop's social media posts pointed out that the chain was still “shorting” the card's owner and suggested the card would reach a higher value at auction. Others have taken note of GameStop's own trade-in FAQ The page notes that the chain's trade-in value is capped at $1,500, suggesting this particular sale is somewhat anomaly. IGN has reached out to GameStop for more information.
GameStop said in its post that its payments were performed “according to the established terms and conditions of the Power Pack buyback program,” an offer that some customers have criticized for allowing retailers to make money off the same high-value card over and over again.
For example, a customer purchased a $100 Power Pack (a blind box worth approximately $100) from GameStop and discovered that there was a card inside that was indeed worth $100. If they don't want the card, GameStop offers an instant buyback offer worth 90% of the card's value minus an additional 6% commission. Here, the card seller gets $84.60 back, and GameStop keeps a $100 card that they can sell again for $100 – and keep repeating the process.
“They're not speculating on the card's value,” one fan wrote in one post. reddit Post about GameStop plans from a few months ago. “They control the supply, the pricing tiers and the resale cycle. It's vertical integration disguised as loot boxes.
“PowerPack isn't just about the cards. The real advantage is the buyback cycle. On average, GameStop pays less than market price for returned cards and then sells them again at full price. Every cycle is a profit opportunity. It's repeatable, scalable, and efficient. And it's not dependent on retail foot traffic or console cycles. PowerPacks may end up being GameStop's most profitable product to date.”
Earlier this year, GameStop tried to turn its high-profile Switch 2 stapler mess into a social media opportunity Auction of now-infamous stationery An employee once Punctured dozens of screens on Switch 2 launch night.
Tom Phillips is IGN's news editor. You can contact Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
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