NORTON SHORES, Mich. — Inside this nondescript gray building in an industrial office center lies a surprising potential to revolutionize the trading card industry.
Upon entering, sign your name on the clipboard, pass a long table with pizza boxes, and a refrigerator. The normalcy changes as you turn the corner to see millions of dollars worth of machinery in an open space, flanked by a giant American flag on the wall. Restrictions on taking photos or videos for inventory privacy hint at the industry-altering secrets within.
The machines, typically used for airplane parts, rocketry, military ballistics, could uncover the contents of a sealed Mega Box of 2023 Donruss Optic Football cards, purchased for $60 in Detroit. The goal is to unveil the cards without compromising the sealed packaging’s sanctity.
In a traditional sense, trading cards maintain an aura of mystery, both for the buyer and seller. Industrial Inspection and Consulting (IIC) challenges this status quo by offering a peek inside the unopened packages, defying the secrecy that has defined the industry for years.
Previously focused on industrial X-rays and CT scans in medical and aerospace fields, IIC’s pivot to the trading card market has garnered thousands of satisfied customers eager for a glimpse at their collectibles before committing to open their purchases.
Using cutting-edge technology, IIC caters to high-end products from Topps, Panini, and Upper Deck, specializing in densely packed configurations. By charging a fee per case or box, collectors gain insight into the contents before deciding to break the seal or sell the item.
Amidst ethical dilemmas and concerns within the industry, IIC remains committed to providing an unbiased service catering to data-driven results. Despite external scrutiny, the company’s offerings open a new frontier in the ever-evolving world of trading card collecting.
As the industry grapples with the ramifications of CT scanning technology, questions of transparency, trust, and ethical responsibility loom large. While uncertainties persist, the impact of these developments on the collectibles market may shape the future of trading card dealings.