Does PCGS or NGC offer a lifetime membership for a one time fee, or do you just have to pay for one of the subscriptions on an annual basis? I know that the site shows an annual subscription to each of the plans, but maybe there's like a partnership deal if you join a coin society. Just thought I'd ask. Thanks!
There is an "Ask NGC" thread on their site. They are quite responsive. You might want to ask your question in that thread. As for PCGS, I have no idea. I have never considered joining. I do buy coins in both holders though.
You might suggest it to them. I could see them possibly being willing to accept an upfront fee of 25 to 30 times the annual membership fee (the amount most coin clubs usually charge for life memberships) for lifetime submission privileges.
One interesting thing PCGS did was freeze the annual fee if you use autopay to renew. New members now pay $250 (8 free submissions) for the same level that was $200. It will be interesting to see how long they keep it that way.
Their CFO probably see the possibility of a club, coin seller, or a collector group using a common name/address to lower the individual cost using such a membership. I belong to one such membership, joining at an early age, and the lifetime membership now costs +10X the amount as they still send me a glossy magazine by mail every month. About every 3 years, I get a "Are you still alive?" survey
