PSA is attempting to be a grading company and an insurance company that guarantees coverage permanently via the Grade Guarantee. Upcharges supposedly cover possibly higher insurance payouts if the Grade Guarantee is trigged in the future. Due to inflation and market forces, these future payouts could be (and have been) sizable. Unfortunately, PSA’s Grade Guarantee has many loopholes that nullify the coverage.
I don’t think any consumer likes surprise billing. Healthcare in the U.S. is notorious for surprise billing, and laws have been passed to prevent it and protect consumers.
Sadly, PSA has no incentive to remove this practice. It is highly profitable for them (very few cards go through the Guarantee) and their business has record demand. Maybe increased market competition (lol, goodbye competition from BGS and SGC) and shifting consumer behavior would make them rethink this policy, but until then, it’s something that we have to stomach for the added aftermarket premium.