In a surprising development, Industrial Inspection & Consulting has unveiled a groundbreaking service offering CT scans of sealed packs of trading cards for $75. Originally intended to showcase the precision of their CT scanning technology, this service has captured the attention of collectors worldwide.
The company initially made waves with a CT scan of a sealed pack of Pokémon cards, demonstrating the capabilities of their technology. Despite initially dismissing plans for a card scanning service, Industrial Inspection shifted gears and officially added trading cards to their CT scanning services portfolio.
Service Details
Industrial Inspection’s $75 service allows customers to have sealed packs of trading cards CT scanned, with access to the viewing program necessary for analyzing the contents. The company is also considering expanding this service to include sealed boxes in the near future.
Industry Response
Reactions from the collecting community have been mixed following the introduction of this technology. While some are skeptical about the widespread adoption of the service, citing its relevance primarily to high-end products, others question the ability of collectors to interpret the scans accurately without prior experience.
According to Keith Irwin, the general manager of Industrial Inspection, the company received an overwhelming ten requests to scan packs within the first two hours of releasing their initial case study on YouTube. Subsequently, the company witnessed a remarkable 17,000 percent surge in website traffic.
Irwin revealed that there has been considerable interest from individuals, collectors, and even auction houses. While specifics remain undisclosed due to non-disclosure agreements, inquiries have primarily focused on the technology’s capabilities. Speculation suggests that group breakers might leverage this technology to identify and retain the best boxes, while others contemplate using it to verify sealed vintage boxes.
Community Concerns
The collecting community is grappling with the implications of this new technology. Before the recent case studies, many collectors were unaware of the potential application of X-ray technology in this capacity. The $75 scanning service has ignited significant debate within the community.
Despite criticisms, Irwin and Industrial Inspection emphasize the importance of making this service accessible to all collectors, not just those dealing with high-end products.
Ethical Considerations
The introduction of Industrial Inspection’s card scanning service raises ethical and moral dilemmas. While collaborating with auction houses or authenticators could have benefits, it also risks limiting access for individual collectors seeking to verify their collections. Distinguishing between positive and negative applications of the technology proves challenging.
Irwin poses the fundamental question of the repercussions of not offering the service. He emphasizes the company’s commitment to being responsible actors in an industry where this practice may otherwise flourish in less ethical ways.
Future Prospects
While Industrial Inspection could sustain itself without the card scanning service, the potential revenue stream it presents cannot be ignored. Suggestions for card manufacturers to incorporate dosimeter stickers that change color upon exposure to radiation as an indicator of scanning are being considered.
Looking ahead, Industrial Inspection plans to continue scanning packs and, eventually, expand to scanning boxes. The company may also offer to scan encapsulated sealed packs for collectors who intend to open them.
Regardless of the services provided, the ethical implications will persist for Industrial Inspection. Acknowledging that the Pandora’s box of card scanning has been opened, the company recognizes the sensitive nature of this development and its impact on the collecting community.
Irwin admits to striking a chord within the community, acknowledging the deep ties collectors have to the industry. He reflects on the dilemma faced, where inaction would be perceived as wrong, yet taking action also raises ethical concerns.
