In an unexpected twist of events, Industrial Inspection & Consulting has thrown a curveball into the collecting community with its latest service offering. For just $75, they will CT scan sealed packs of trading cards, providing enthusiasts with a peek into the contents of their treasured collectibles.
Initially aiming to showcase the precision of their CT scanning technology, Industrial Inspection’s foray into card scanning has set tongues wagging within the collecting circles. What started as a demonstration of their capabilities by scanning a pack of Pokémon cards has now evolved into a full-fledged service that collectors can avail themselves of.
The Service
For a nominal fee, Industrial Inspection will provide a detailed CT scan of sealed packs of trading cards, accompanied by a viewing program for enthusiasts to analyze and decipher the contents within. The company is also considering extending this service to include scanning sealed boxes in the near future, making it a comprehensive offering for card collectors.
Industry Reactions
The introduction of this technology has elicited mixed reactions from the collecting community. While some view it as a revolutionary tool that could add a new dimension to the collecting experience, others remain skeptical about its widespread adoption. Questions linger about the ability of collectors to interpret the scans accurately without prior knowledge or experience in this domain.
Keith Irwin, the general manager of Industrial Inspection, revealed that the company received an overwhelming response following the release of their initial case study on YouTube. With a surge in website traffic by over 17,000 percent and numerous scan requests pouring in, the service has quickly caught the attention of not just individual collectors but also auction houses looking to leverage this cutting-edge technology.
Community Concerns
The unveiling of the card scanning service has triggered significant debate within the collecting community, sparking concerns about the ethical implications of employing X-ray technology to peek inside sealed packs. While some view it as a progressive move towards transparency and authentication, others worry about the potential impact on the secondary market and the fairness of access to such services.
Addressing these concerns, Irwin emphasized the company’s commitment to making the service accessible to all collectors, not just high-end enthusiasts. He highlighted the importance of ethical practices in offering this service and asserted that Industrial Inspection aims to be a responsible player in the evolving landscape of trading card authentication and verification.
Ethical Considerations
The ethical considerations surrounding the use of X-ray technology for scanning trading cards are paramount. While the collaboration with auction houses and authenticators could enhance the credibility of the service, it also raises questions about equal access and fairness in the collecting community. Balancing the benefits of transparency with the potential risks of market manipulation remains a central dilemma for all parties involved.
Despite the ethical quandaries, Industrial Inspection sees this service as a necessary step forward in an industry where technological advancements are reshaping traditional practices. The company acknowledges the Pandora’s box that has been opened with this service and is prepared to navigate the ethical complexities that accompany it.
Future of Card Scanning
As Industrial Inspection ventures into the realm of card scanning, the future implications of this technology remain uncertain. While the introduction of dosimeter stickers could potentially signal scanned boxes, the company is focused on expanding its scanning services to cater to the evolving needs of collectors.
Whether major trading card manufacturers will respond to this technological disruption with protective measures or regulatory frameworks remains to be seen. Industrial Inspection’s journey into card scanning opens up a new chapter in the collecting world, where ethics, innovation, and tradition intersect in a delicate balance.
Conclusively, the debut of Industrial Inspection’s card X-ray service has set the stage for a paradigm shift in the way collectors interact with their prized possessions. As the collecting community grapples with the implications of this technological advancement, the conversation around ethics and transparency in the industry is poised to evolve alongside the services being offered.
