"Trade Offer: 2 floppy discs and a Handshake": Netizens poke fun at Game Stop for asking TikTok-installed iPhones

GameStop is encouraging customers to trade in their old smartphones, creating a new marketplace trend as eBay sees a spike in users looking for iPhones preinstalled with TikTok. This unforeseen demand makes TikTok a selling factor for used electronics and emphasizes its cultural value.

In the United States, the ByteDance app TikTok was banned on January 19 after being removed from the Apple and Google app stores on January 18. As a result, hundreds or maybe thousands of people flocked to eBay to purchase iPhones that had TikTok loaded. One buyer paid up to $14,000 for an iPhone 15 Pro that had both TikTok and CapCut installed.

On January 22, GameStop posted on social media, said,

"The rumors are true. GameStop will buy your phone with TikTok. Check the link in bio to find your trade value now.”

The post includes a picture of a GameStop leaflet that describes ways to trade devices for money or store credit. It is noteworthy that it mentions no additional benefits for iPhones with TikTok still loaded.

However, as soon as the news broke out, netizens couldn't resist but flooded the social media with hilarious comments. Someone (@MechaG) on X (formerly Twitter) commented:

"Trade Offer: 2 floppy discs and a Handshake"

In an unexpected turn of events, GameStop is now purchasing phones that already have TikTok installed. If you've been hoarding an old iPhone that is full of lip-sync fights and endless dance challenges, this might be your chance to make some cash.

Forget about getting the newest technology for your phone; perhaps the dubious TikTok videos you never removed have increased the value of your 2018 model. Who would have thought that your dubious quarantine material could become valuable? It seems that phone sales are literally going towards the future!

Social media was inundated with amusing reactions and comments as soon as the news broke! Let me walk you through some of the most hilarious netizens' comments regarding this news!

---

Here's how netizens have reacted to Game Stop for asking TikTok-installed iPhones

Someone (@Benjamin Way) commented:

"lol bring in an iphone 20 and gamestop is talking about "Yeah so, 49 cents in store credit, and game pass for 2 years. How does that sound?"

Another one (@Cloudz) commented:

"They going to offer you $20 & in store credit of $15"

A user (@Swissdreamer) wrote:

"Why in the end tiktok will be on every phone again What do they pay?"

Another user (@Matt) commented:

"Cuz they’re struggling to survive. They won’t last."

A netizen (@Carl) expressed:

"has gamestop just hit a new low?"

Another netizen (@50/50innertainment) commented:

"Gamestop be like, "We'll give you 20$ or you can choose between a Sega Genesis game"

A folk (@Shim) commented:

"How does this make any sense if they have to restore the phone before reselling it?"

Another netizen (@TAsty Trails Tech) wrote:

"Can’t they just uninstall the app? Why sell the phone?"

Someone (@CV2325) expressed:

"GameStop turning into resellers ain’t no way Shut this poverty franchise down we don’t need it anymore"

Another one (@Paranoid) expressed:

"For what so they can get it for few hundred bucks and it going for up to 10k-50k they making it known they doing a public scam"

A folk (@The Consumer) wrote:

"GameStop’s new trade-in deal: your iPhone for a chance to buy a used PS3!"

In short, the new trade-in program by GameStop sparked immediate chaos on social media as people went wild over posting their thoughts regarding the same.

Memes and funny commentary ran rampant in timelines as users made guesses over what their ancient phones were worth since they suddenly found them more valuable because of the TikTok app.

In the end, GameStop's offer to purchase phones loaded with TikTok has suddenly turned into a virtual circus. Your old phone may be worth more than you think, particularly if it has a lot of viral dancing moves and lip-sync mishaps. That is, whether it has been an effective marketing tactic or merely a way to capitalize on the TikTok mania.

---

Keep reading SoapCentral for more humorous content like this!