Industrial Inspection & Consulting has caused quite a stir in the collecting community with its latest service offering. The company, known for its precision CT scanning technology, recently introduced a service that allows customers to CT scan sealed packs of trading cards for a fee of $75.
Initially gaining attention by showcasing the capability of their technology through a case study involving Pokémon cards, Industrial Inspection surprised many by adding trading card scanning to their list of services. The company’s general manager, Keith Irwin, mentioned receiving a significant amount of interest from individuals, collectors, and even auction houses following the initial case study’s success.
Despite the excitement surrounding the new service, the collecting community has shown mixed reactions. While some express skepticism about its widespread adoption and question the ability of collectors to interpret the scans accurately, others see the service as a potential game-changer in the industry.
One key concern raised by the community is the ethical implications of using X-ray technology to analyze the contents of sealed packs. Industrial Inspection has defended its decision by emphasizing the importance of making the service accessible to all collectors, not just high-end enthusiasts.
The introduction of this service has also sparked debates around its impact on the secondary market, particularly for high-end products like vintage sports cards and early Pokémon releases. While the company aims to provide transparency and ethical use of the technology, concerns about its potential misuse remain prevalent.
Looking ahead, Industrial Inspection plans to expand its scanning services to include sealed boxes and encapsulated packs. The company acknowledges the ethical dilemmas associated with its new offering but believes that providing transparency and responsible practices is crucial in an industry where such technologies are inevitable.
As collectors and industry players grapple with the implications of card X-ray services, the conversation around ethics, transparency, and responsible use of technology is likely to persist. Industrial Inspection’s foray into this controversial space has undoubtedly shaken up the collecting community and raised important questions about the future of authenticity verification in the trading card market.
