In an unforeseen twist, Industrial Inspection & Consulting has stepped into the spotlight with its new service offering to CT scan sealed packs of trading cards for a fee of $75. Initially intended to showcase the precision of their CT scanning technology, this service has now become a major point of discussion within the collecting community.
Recently, Industrial Inspection gained attention by conducting a CT scan on a sealed pack of Pokémon cards, demonstrating the capabilities of their technology. While they initially stated no plans to pursue card scanning services, the company changed course this week, adding trading cards to their list of CT scanning offerings.
For the price of $75, Industrial Inspection will CT scan sealed packs of trading cards and provide customers with the necessary viewing program to analyze the contents. There are future plans to extend this service to include sealed boxes as well.
The introduction of this technology has sparked mixed reactions within the collecting community. Some express skepticism about the widespread adoption of the service, questioning its relevance to high-end products and the ability of collectors to interpret the scans without prior experience.
Keith Irwin, the general manager of Industrial Inspection, shared that the company received a significant number of requests to scan packs within just hours of releasing their initial case study on YouTube. Website traffic surged by over 17,000 percent following the publication of the case study.
“We’ve seen a lot of interest from individuals, collectors, and even auction houses,” Irwin remarked. “It’s clear that there is both intrigue and concern surrounding this service. If we don’t offer it, someone else will.”
Despite the surge in interest, Irwin refrained from sharing further details due to non-disclosure agreements. However, it is speculated that group breakers may utilize this technology to identify and retain the best boxes, while others are considering its use for authenticating sealed vintage boxes.
The collecting community has raised concerns about the implications of this technology. Many collectors were previously unaware that X-ray technology could be applied in this manner. The $75 price tag for scanning packs has ignited a significant debate within the community.
While some have condemned the practice, Industrial Inspection argues that it is crucial to make this service accessible to all collectors, not just high-end individuals.
Irwin emphasized, “We aim to democratize this service. We want to be a positive force in an industry that is evolving rapidly. If we don’t offer this service, others will, potentially in less ethical ways.”
The ethical considerations surrounding the introduction of this service are numerous and complex. While partnerships with auction houses and authenticators could be beneficial, they also run the risk of limiting access for individual collectors who wish to verify their collections independently.
Irwin posed a crucial question, “If we choose not to offer this service, what will be the consequences?” He highlighted the importance of responsible participation in this evolving landscape.
The potential impact on the secondary market, particularly for high-end products, is substantial. While scanning low- and mid-tier products may not be cost-effective, the technology could revolutionize the authentication process for vintage sports cards, early Pokémon releases, and high-end ultra-modern sets.
It remains uncertain if major trading card manufacturers are taking steps to safeguard customers in light of this new technology. Requests for comments from Panini America, Topps, and Upper Deck went unanswered.
Looking ahead, Industrial Inspection may continue to thrive without the card scanning service, but it presents a lucrative revenue opportunity. One potential solution for card manufacturers could involve using dosimeter stickers that change color when exposed to radiation, indicating if a box has undergone scanning.
For now, Industrial Inspection plans to proceed with scanning packs and potentially expand to boxes in the future. They may also offer to scan encapsulated sealed packs for collectors who wish to open them.
Regardless of the services offered, the ethical and moral implications will remain a persistent issue for Industrial Inspection. The company acknowledges the impact of their actions on the collecting community and emphasizes the importance of responsible decision-making in this evolving landscape.
