One of the main reasons for selling kibbudim, is NOT TO HAVE FIGHTS IN SHUL.
say what you want, if it’s given free every year and there is only one psichi neila, it’s only a question of time that someone starts screaming “when will it be my turn”?
there was even a fight a few years ago in prison, someone wanted a kibud and didn’t get it etc..
on a side note, the rich do deserve the kibbud, as we discussed many times tuition is partially subsidized by the wealthy, they are also the big supporters of tomchei shabbos, hatzoloh etc services the ppl that don’t have money use, the least they can do is say let the wealthy get the kibbud!!! hakaros hatov is just as important as the kibbud in question!