GameStop has officially unveiled the rules for one of its strangest promotions yet.
The popular store's Trade Anything Day, which is set to take place on December 6, is a one-day event allowing customers across the US to bring in almost anything in exchange for store credit.
And while the event tagline boldly says, “Bring Whatever and Get Store Credit,” GameStop has now clarified that it doesn’t literally mean everything.
GameStop is running a “Trade Anything Day” on December 6. Credit: NurPhoto/Getty
What You Can - And Absolutely Cannot - Trade In
Unlike GameStop’s usual trade-in policy, which focuses on games, consoles, and accessories, this promo is open to almost any physical item.
That includes household goods and random objects, as long as they meet certain safety and size rules, the Economic Times shared.
All items must fit inside a 20×20×20-inch box, and staff can reject anything that doesn’t make the cut.
But before you start packing your attic junk, GameStop’s exclusion list is extensive.
According to Newsweek, the following are strictly off-limits:
- Hazardous materials or chemicals or liquids
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Weapons or ammunition
- Alcohol, tobacco, or drugs
- Currency or gift cards
- Jewelry
- Computers, outdated electronics, and Televisions
- Sexual or explicit items
- Anything that resembles human body parts
- Dead or live animals (although taxidermy is bizarrely allowed)
Staff at individual stores will make the final call on whether something is eligible, and no, they haven't said how they’ll decide the trade-in value for your weirdest belongings.
The retailer has published a list of what customers can trade. Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty
The Internet Reacts
As expected, Trade Anything Day has become meme gold online.
Social media has exploded with posts joking about what people might try to trade in and how little they’ll get in return.
“Me grabbing all the rocks from the parking lot and getting $9,000 in store credit,” one viral post read.
Another user joked: “My girl kicking me out of the house after trading in her Nespresso for $5 store credit.”
Dark humor didn’t take long to surface either.
“How much store credit do you think I’d get for a kidney? Don’t worry guys, it’s not mine," a person quipped.
Others pushed the joke to the edge, asking for the trade-in value of “a bunch of used condoms.”
GameStop is leaning into the absurdity, stating that “some questions” will definitely be asked.
Still, the company’s main goal is clear: increase foot traffic and give budget-conscious consumers a creative way to shop during the holidays.
Why Is This Happening Now?
According to PwC, 84 percent of US consumers plan to cut back on spending over the next six months due to rising prices, with holiday spending expected to drop 11 percent compared to 2024.
GameStop’s Trade Anything Day is tapping into that market by offering a more flexible way to afford gifts.
With roughly 2,150 stores across the country, the event could draw crowds, if only to see what ridiculous stuff people try to unload.
Customers are advised to check the store's website for updates or rule changes before heading in, especially if they’re planning to push the limits of what counts as a “tradeable” item.