That said, you’re right. There is NO EXCUSE for a vaad to act like a mafia by extorting inordinate sums of protection money from store owners.
Strong words; why is asking for a fee extortion? The lower the fees, the less money a vaad has to pay mashgichim, and vice versa.
If you don’t really care if the food you put in your mouth is kosher, go to an establishment which uses an inexpensive hashgocha. If you do care, go to one with a hashgocha which pays its mashgichim decently and can have proper supervision.