In regards to PCGS:
The issue of permitting paying members only to access the forum, at least in this case, would be a short sighted business move. Any increased revenue would be negligible, and the resulting bad will, coupled with the loss of people that become interested in memberships via participation in their forums, would quickly result in diminishing returns.

I agree!
Although the idea of participating in an exclusive arena, riff-raff kept out, has a sorta, kinda,
special membership appeal. I could end up the single participant.... I could always try for
another state dinner, huh? Or, just continue to hang around here... Who is that masked man?