In an unexpected twist, Industrial Inspection & Consulting has rolled out a new service offering to CT scan sealed packs of trading cards for $75. Originally intended to demonstrate the precision of their CT scanning technology, the service has now become a hot topic within the collecting community.
The Service:
For a fee of $75, Industrial Inspection now provides the option to CT scan sealed packs of trading cards, along with the viewing program necessary to analyze the contents. The company is even considering expanding this service to include sealed boxes in the near future.
Industry Reactions:
Responses to this innovative offering have been mixed among collectors and industry insiders. Some express doubts about the widespread adoption of the service, questioning its relevance beyond high-end products. Concerns have also been raised about the ability of collectors to interpret the scans accurately without prior experience.
Keith Irwin, General Manager at Industrial Inspection, reported a rapid influx of requests to scan packs following the publication of their initial case study on YouTube. The surge in website traffic has been staggering, experiencing a spike of over 17,000 percent.
Community Concerns:
The introduction of this technology has sparked significant debate and unease within the collecting community. Many collectors were unaware of the application of X-ray technology in this context until recent case studies emerged. The ability to scan packs for a moderate fee has ignited both curiosity and controversy.
Ethical Considerations:
The ethical implications of this service have raised complex questions. While collaborating with auction houses and authenticators could have positive aspects, there are concerns about potentially limiting access for individual collectors seeking to authenticate their collections. Distinguishing between positive and negative use cases remains a challenge.
Irwin emphasized the company’s commitment to making the service accessible to all collectors, underscoring the intention to act as responsible participants within the industry. However, the impact on the secondary market, especially for high-end products, is a significant consideration.
Future of Card Scanning:
Irwin acknowledged that Industrial Inspection could thrive without the card scanning service but recognized its potential as a lucrative revenue stream. Suggestions for card manufacturers to implement dosimeter stickers that change color upon exposure to radiation as a safeguard against scanning were proposed.
The company plans to progress with scanning packs and potentially expand the service to include boxes. They may also offer scanning for encapsulated sealed packs for collectors desiring to open them.
As the company navigates this new service, the ethical and moral implications will continue to be a focal point of discussion. Industrial Inspection acknowledges the impact of their unveiling, acknowledging the challenge of balancing transparency with potential repercussions in the collecting community.
