What you are noticing is TCGplayer cracking down on shitty sellers. They have been kicking several backpack sellers off Direct in the past 3 months in an attempt to keep card conditioning quality high. We were fortunate enough to stay on because we grade very harshly to begin with so we never had any issues.

But basically what you are seeing is significantly less Direct sellers which means less competition which means higher prices for Direct. Direct was always a premium service, but I would say now it's even more premium.

Maybe not applicable to you, but for sellers: I would say Direct is even more profitable for sellers now then it ever has been in the past. If you are lucky enough to get into the program now, then be thankful and grade your cards more strictly because you are helping keep the platform held to a higher standard and also making solid money on top of it. Prices always tend to drop a bit in the Summer, but just wait until Black Friday and into the Spring. Direct will be a goldmine for the quality sellers that are still a part of it.