Industrial Inspection & Consulting, known for its CT scanning technology, has surprised the industry with a new service offering to CT scan sealed packs of trading cards for $75. Initially a showcase of their precision technology, the service has now become a focal point in the collecting community.
Recently, Industrial Inspection gained attention by scanning a sealed pack of Pokémon cards, demonstrating the capabilities of their technology. Although they initially had no plans to offer card scanning services, the company shifted gears and added trading cards to their CT scanning services lineup.
For $75, Industrial Inspection will conduct CT scans on sealed packs of trading cards and provide the necessary program for viewing and analyzing the contents. There are even discussions of expanding the service to include scanning sealed boxes in the near future.
The introduction of this card scanning service has sparked mixed reactions within the collecting community. While some industry experts express skepticism about its widespread adoption, others see potential for its use, particularly with high-end products. There are concerns about whether collectors will be able to interpret the scans effectively without prior experience.
Keith Irwin, the general manager of Industrial Inspection, disclosed that within the first two hours of posting a case study on YouTube, the company received ten requests for pack scans. The website traffic surged by over 17,000 percent, indicating a high level of interest from individuals, collectors, and even auction houses.
Irwin stated, We’ve seen a lot of interest from various parties. Everyone seems intrigued and eager to participate. If we don’t provide this service, someone else will.” While specific details were not disclosed due to non-disclosure agreements, inquiries mainly revolve around the technology’s capabilities. Speculations suggest group breakers might use this technology to identify and retain the best boxes, while others consider it for authenticating sealed vintage boxes.
The collecting community is divided over the implications of this technology. Before the recent case studies, many collectors were unaware of the application of X-ray technology in this manner. The ability to scan packs for $75 has stirred significant debate, with some condemning the practice while others acknowledge the need to make the service accessible to all collectors, not just the high-end market.
Despite concerns, Industrial Inspection believes it is crucial to offer the service to maintain ethical standards in the industry and prevent alternative, potentially unethical practices from emerging. The company aims to be a responsible actor in this developing landscape.
While questions about ethics and morality persist, particularly regarding access and impact on the secondary market, the potential benefits of scanning high-end products such as vintage sports cards and early Pokémon releases are evident. Major trading card manufacturers have yet to respond to inquiries about measures to protect customers from unauthorized scanning.
Looking ahead, Industrial Inspection acknowledges that the card scanning service presents a lucrative opportunity, though they could thrive without it. Proposed solutions, such as dosimeter stickers to detect radiation exposure on boxes, could offer a way for manufacturers to safeguard their products.
As Industrial Inspection moves forward with scanning packs and potentially boxes, the ethical and moral considerations surrounding this service will remain a focal point. The company recognizes the sensitivity of their actions and the impact on the collecting community, prompting ongoing reflection on the decision to offer this service.
In an industry where tradition and innovation collide, Industrial Inspection has opened a new chapter with its card X-ray services, sparking a conversation about the future of collecting and authentication practices.
