The world of collectibles has seen a significant rise in popularity, bringing with it increased scrutiny on practices of fairness and transparency. In a move that aims to dispel any doubts, Fanatics Collectibles has gone the extra mile by engaging KPMG – a global gold-standard audit firm – to probe its high-value card distribution processes. As announced at the Industry Conference in Atlanta, these procedures were found to be effectively foolproof against bias after months of rigorous scrutiny.
The engagement was sparked in response to a longstanding debate within the collector community, stemming from suspicions that Fanatics/Topps might be giving preferential treatment to high-volume customers or high-profile breakers. Doubts were fueled by video clips circulating on social media platforms showing breakers pulling multiple valuable cards, raising many an eyebrow about pack contents’ randomness.
However, dispelling the fog of suspicion, Fanatics Collectibles CFO Greg Abovsky stepped up to explain that these frequent high-value pulls could be chalked up to basic statistics. The higher frequency was due to the sheer volume of cards handled by major breakers, rather than any questionable machinations in the packing process.
Donning the proverbial white gloves, KPMG auditors carried out a meticulous review at the Texas-based production facility where these sought-after cards are created. Scrutinizing the collation process and production logs for each job, they aimed to ensure the distribution was as random as the company claimed. The audit marked a first-of-its-kind initiative that Fanatics aims to lend greater clarity to the industry’s operations while solidifying its commitment to operational integrity.
In addition to the audit findings, Abovsky went on to debunk another popular suspicion among collectors, that being the company nefariously ‘seeding’ boxes with valuable cards for promotional purposes. He categorically affirmed that such practices were never part of Fanatics’ modus operandi.
Fanatics is aiming not just to clear the air once but to make it an annual tradition to receive a stamp of approval from the audit firm for its high-value card distribution process. A confirmation of the randomness audit every year would serve as testament and assurance to the collector community of the company’s continued commitment to fairness and transparency.
The partnership between Fanatics and KPMG marks a novel precedent in an industry that thrives on the elusiveness of rare collectibles. The audit’s findings should serve as a comforting thought for collectors and dealers alike, assuring them that their pursuit of high-value cards, much like the game itself, stands on the pillars of chance and fairness.
