GameStop, a well-known video game retailer, recently announced a significant sale: a rare Pokémon trading card was sold for a record amount – the highest single-item trade the store has ever made. This news comes after some customers complained that GameStop’s trade-in offers were too low. GameStop responded with an official statement, but its lighthearted tone has led some to question how seriously the company is taking the criticism.
A valuable trade-in was processed through GameStop’s PowerPacks system, a partnership with the Professional Sports Authority (PSA). PowerPacks allow customers to buy professionally graded trading cards either online or in stores, and then choose to sell them back, keep them in secure storage with PSA, or have them shipped home. GameStop guarantees an instant buyback for any PowerPack cards customers don’t want. Currently available packs include baseball, football, basketball, and Pokemon cards, but the Pokemon packs have been particularly popular with resellers, prompting GameStop to issue a warning about limited availability.
One Lucky Customer Received $30,000 For Pokemon Trading Card
GameStop announced on Twitter that a customer in Grapevine, Texas recently found a very valuable holographic Gengar Pokemon card inside a PowerPack. Gengar is a consistently rare and sought-after card, both in collectible form and within the Pokemon TCG Pocket digital game. The card was graded a perfect 10 by the PSA, meaning it was in pristine, mint condition – the highest rating possible.
GameStop repurchased a rare Pokémon card for $30,494.70. They admitted on Twitter that this was over $3,000 less than the card’s actual worth, which they valued at $33,833.00. Had they paid full price, it would have been one of the most expensive Pokémon cards ever sold, though still less than the multi-million-dollar Pikachu Illustrator card recently bought by Logan Paul, a purchase that earned him a Guinness World Record.
GameStop recently stated that claims their trade-in values are poor are untrue and can be proven false. They dismissed any previous complaints about these values as unfounded. This response follows criticism of their PowerPack program and the company’s growing emphasis on trading cards.
People had different reactions to the Twitter post. Some believed the holographic Gengar card was worth much more than what GameStop paid, and that the customer was shortchanged. Others worried GameStop was turning into a high-end store, though recent Black Friday sales suggest that might not be true. Many also shared stories of their own valuable Pokémon cards, like holographic Gengar and Charizard, and wondered if GameStop would pay them $30,000 for them.
GameStop’s PowerPack System Features Increasingly High Prices
GameStop previously said they would sell $2500 “Lunar Pokémon” PowerPacks on Cyber Monday. These are the most expensive PowerPacks the company has ever offered, costing more than their previous Gold, Diamond, and Platinum packs. The announcement received a lot of negative feedback on Twitter, with many people criticizing the high price. Some accused GameStop of simply trying to make a quick profit, and others felt it was insensitive to advertise such expensive items during the holidays.
As a Pokémon fan, I’ve been following the story about that incredible $30,000 Gengar card, and it sounds like it might have been from one of those super rare Lunar Packs! The timing is interesting too – someone supposedly bought it on Cyber Monday. Even if they only paid $2,500 for a PowerPack, they still made a huge profit – over $25,000! Though, GameStop even admitted the seller didn’t get quite the full price the card was worth, which is a little disappointing, but still amazing!
On December 6, 2025, GameStop is holding a special event called “Trade Anything Day.” Customers can bring in almost anything they own – excluding items like liquids, live animals, or anything illegal – and trade it for store credit. It’s possible some people will even bring in valuable trading cards, like rare Pokémon cards, hoping to get a great deal, just like the person in the news recently.
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2025-12-02 19:05