It would cost $0 (well a few bucks to update packing instructions on their website) for a grading company to recommend this. None of them do AFAIK. I feel like that is telling if it doesn’t fall into recommended pack instructions as if it was easier for them it’d be a no brainer to recommend the customer do some added small step. I do realize PSA misses many other “no-brainers” though too.
I’d imagine the use of tabs is way more common with low volume submitters. This isn’t to say “only rookies do it because it’s stupid”, but mainly just an added time thing that adds no benefit IMO. I’ve handled tens of thousands of cards in and out of semi rigids, hundreds being with tabs from collection buys and there is no difference to me. I don’t use the tab. Perhaps they could even be a pain in the butt in some stages? No idea how long the card spends in and out of the card savers vs just sleeved before going into the case. I just don’t see a PSA worker who has likely handled 1M+ cards in card savers tugging on some little piece of paper for the small percentage (guess) of cards that come with them. More likely, like me they would handle them normally as if the tab wasn’t there.
I did a quick search as I was pretty sure this has come up a few times. I did find Charlie @funmonkey54 mention this. www.elitefourum.com/t/pull-tabs/26219/1