In a surprising move, Industrial Inspection & Consulting has introduced a new service offering to CT scan sealed packs of trading cards for $75. Initially intended to showcase the precision of their CT scanning technology, the service has now ignited discussions within the collecting community.
Not long ago, Industrial Inspection gained attention by scanning a sealed pack of Pokémon cards, demonstrating the potential of their technology. Despite initially stating no plans of offering a card scanning service, the company changed course and incorporated trading cards onto their list of CT scanning services.
The Service:
For the price of $75, Industrial Inspection will CT scan sealed packs of trading cards and provide the necessary viewing program to analyze their contents. There are intentions to expand this service to include sealed boxes in the near future.
Industry Reactions:
The collecting community has shown mixed reactions to this newfound technology. While some express skepticism about its widespread adoption, citing potential limited impact on high-end products and concerns about interpreting the scans, others are intrigued by its possibilities. Industrial Inspection’s general manager, Keith Irwin, shared that the company received a significant number of requests to scan packs within hours of posting their initial case study online.
With a surge in website traffic exceeding 17,000 percent, Irwin noted the overwhelming interest from individuals, collectors, and even auction houses. The company aims to make the service accessible to all, emphasizing the need to be ethical in offering such innovative services.
Community Concerns:
The introduction of card scanning technology has raised ethical and moral questions within the collecting community. While some condemn the practice, others see the potential benefits of accessibility for all collectors, not just high-end ones. Industrial Inspection believes that offering the service responsibly is crucial to prevent less ethical alternatives from emerging.
Ethical Considerations:
The ethical implications of the card scanning service are significant. While collaborations with auction houses and authenticators could be positive, there are concerns about limiting access for individual collectors. The potential impact on the secondary market, especially for high-end products, is a key consideration.
Future of Card Scanning:
Industrial Inspection sees a promising future with the card scanning service, acknowledging its potential as a lucrative revenue stream. Suggestions such as dosimeter stickers that change color when exposed to radiation could help card manufacturers protect customers. The company plans to continue scanning packs and boxes and may even offer services for encapsulated sealed packs.
Despite the opportunities presented by card scanning technology, Industrial Inspection recognizes the ongoing ethical dilemmas it raises. They understand the gravity of their actions and the impact on the collecting community, acknowledging the need to navigate this new terrain responsibly.