What is ICS?
How much does it cost to get slot cars graded by ICS?
Why should I have my slot cars graded?
Can ICS determine the value of my slot cars?
Who grades my slot cars?
How does the grading process work for my slot cars?
What criteria is used to grade my slot cars?
Why does ICS wear gloves to grade my slot cars?
How long should I expect the grading process to take?
What scale slot cars does ICS grade?
What slot car manufacturers does ICS grade?
Can I submit different slot car manufacturers to be graded?
Do the slot car grading costs include shipping, insurance, and handling charges?
How do I package my slot car items for shipment?
How will I know that you have received my slot cars?
How can I be sure that my slot cars are safe?
Is there any possibility of my slot cars getting switched with someone elses?
If I take a slot car out of its ICS package, is the grade still guaranteed?
Can I find my Professionally Graded Slotcar on the ICS website?
Can I deliver my slot cars to ICS at an upcoming slotcar show?
Can I have my HO scale slotcars mounted and not graded?
Are there any benefits to only Mounting my slotcars?
Q - What is ICS?
A - ICS (an acronym for ICollectsSlotCars.com) is a cost effective service for grading your vintage HO scale slot cars.
Q - How much does it cost to get slot cars graded by ICS?
A - The fees to have slot cars graded vary only by the quantity submitted and turnaround time. Please view the complete list of ICS Fees.
Q - Why should I have my slot cars graded?
A - There are short term and long term benefits why you may want your slotcars professionally graded. Not only will your slotcars be properly graded, but they will look sharp too! Short Term Benefits Include: Immediate displayability with visually appealing 4 color artwork (choose from several styles); Easy Handling with gloss coated stock; Uniformly sized for storage purposes. Long Term Benefits Include: Blister mounting offers added protection against damage & dust; Catalogued for Insurance purposes; Preserved for investment purposes. You can be guaranteed that when the time comes (and it will), you or your loved ones can sell your slotcars with confidence knowing that they have been properly graded by an expert.
Q - Can ICS determine the value of my slot cars?
A - No. ICS will not determine the value of your slot cars. ICS will just grade your slot cars.
Q - Who grades my slot cars?
A - Your vintage HO scale slot cars will be professionally graded by Joe Bodnarchuk who has been collecting slotcars for over 4 decades and has personally handled tens of thousands of slotcars.
Q - How does the grading process work for my slot cars?
A - When your slot car grading submissions are received by ICS, they are organized by their service level and then they are placed in a queue to be graded. Each slotcar will be examined from top to bottom. The chassis will be removed and the posts will be exanmined. Each flaw that is found will lower the Grade to which the slot car will finally be assigned.
Q - What criteria is used to grade my slot cars?
A - Your vintage HO scale slot cars will be professionally graded on a Gem Mint, Mint, Near Mint, Excellent Plus, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor scale which are part of our Grading Standards.
Q - Why does ICS wear gloves to grade my slot cars?
Q - Using gloves prevents fingerprints on slot cars?
Q - How long should I expect the grading process to take?
A - The actual grading process will depend upon how many slot cars are submitted for grading and by the level of grading chosen. Please see our Fees chart for further information.
Q - What scale slot cars does ICS grade?
A - Currently, ICS only grades HO scale slot cars.
Q - What slot car manufacturers does ICS grade?
A - Currently, ICS only grades vintage HO scale slot cars from Atlas, Aurora Model Motoring or Marusan. Other manufacturers will be added so check back for updates.
Q - Can I submit different slot car manufacturers to be graded?
A - Yes. You may submit slot cars from multiple manufacturers to be graded.
Q - Do the slot car grading or mounting costs include shipping, insurance, and handling charges?
A - Grading costs do not include shipping and insurance to and from our facility. We recommend shipping your slotcars to us via Registered Mail. For shipping prices please contact the USPS or visit the USPS website. You are also responsible for the pre-calculated return shipping which is based on the number of slot cars and total declared value. This information is available on the ICS submission forms.
Q - How do I package my slot car items for shipment?
A - ICS recommends that that you wrap your slot cars in soft toilet tissue or Kleenex®.
ICS will not be liable for damage that may occur in shipping of slot cars sent poorly wrapped or in flimsy packaging.
Wrap EACH slot car indivually and place each slot car in a snack sized Zip-Lock® brand bag for safe transporting.
We recommend that you mail your package via Registered Mail through the USPS.
Please mail packages to: 
As an alternative to USPS, you may ship by Federal Express or UPS using express services only (Overnight, 2-Day) to ADD NEW ADDRESS HERE, HOLD FOR PICK-UP.
This address will NOT accept FedEx Ground packages.
Note: Please indicate the fastest service level you are sending on the outside of your package, preferably below the address, in all capital letters. (i.e. OVERNIGHT EXPRESS, GROUND, etc.)
For more detailed packaging and shipping instructions please review our Packing Guidelines in the Submission Center.
Q - How will I know that you have received my slot cars?
A - If we have your email address you will receive notification when your slot cars have been received. You may also check our Slot Cars Received Status page.
Q - How can I be sure that my slot cars are safe?
A - From the moment your slot cars reach us until they are returned to you, ICS will take great care to ensure the safety of your slot cars. Each package opened will be video taped with our state-of-the-art videography system. You have our guarantee that your slot cars will be protected throughout the grading process.
Q - Is there any possibility of my slot cars getting switched with someone elses?
A - No. You have our GUARANTEE that ICS will only grade one order at a time.
Q - If I take a slot car out of its ICS package, is the grade still guaranteed?
A - No. The ICS grade guarantee is only valid if the ICS package is intact. If the package shows signs of tampering then the guarantee is void.
Q - Can I find my Professionally Graded Slotcar on the ICS website?
A - The ICS website is working on an area where all graded slotcars will be displayed.
Q - Can I deliver my slot cars to ICS at an upcoming slotcar show?
A - Yes. ICS attends several slotcar shows throughout the year. These dates can be seen at Slot Car Calendar.
Q - Can I have my HO scale slotcars mounted and not graded?
A - Yes. For as little as $2.49 per slotcar, ICS offers a YELLOW FLAG Mounting only option. Your HO scale slotcars will be professionally mounted, but not graded.
Q - Are there any benefits to only Mounting my slotcars?
A - Mounting only is an excellent option for collectors of low grade or common slotcars who want the same longterm protective storage benefits. Not only will your HO scale slotcars be properly protected, but they will look will look awesome too.
TRUST
ICS is an industry leader when it comes to grading slotcars. You can have confidence in us as well as depend on us. You have our GUARANTEE.
HONESTY
ICS will ONLY grade one (1) order at a time thus making it impossible to mix up your slotcars with anyone elses. You have our GUARANTEE.
INTEGRITY
ICS has high moral or ethical standards and will adhere to the Grading Standards that it has established and published. You have our GUARANTEE.
SERVICE
If ICS does not ship your slorcars back within the time frame indicated, we will refund 100% of your purchase price. You have our GUARANTEE.