PayPal charging fees for receiving money?

[Gettingthrough]

I've had two people request to give me money via PayPal. One was a neighbor for whom I had picked up some much needed toilet paper. Paypal charged me a fee for both. Is that a new thing, that I can't help my neighbor out? During a crisis? I've waited four hours for the Messenger service, and have had no response. 

[sharpiemarker]

@Gettingthrough 

When you send money requests, a PayPal fee is charged to recipient when it is paid. If the sender happens to send a goods and services payment (in error or intentionally), a PayPal fee is charged to recipient as well.

Not clear from your post on who did what.

[Gettingthrough]

I didn't send a request either time. The other people simply sent me money. I've had friends do that before and there wasn't a fee to receive it. That's why this does not make sense. As well, one of the people who sent me money set PayPal to asking me to ship an item, but there was no item transaction. Further confusion.

I've waited five hours now for customer support to respond. I understand that they are trying to work from home, but I simply want to see this resolved, by PayPal!

[sharpiemarker]

@Gettingthrough 

"As well, one of the people who sent me money set PayPal to asking me to ship an item, but there was no item transaction."

1) Some people aren't aware that sending a money request to get paid incurs a PayPal fee to receive payment and your post read as if you were sending out a money "request" for funds.

2) Senders can occasionally send a goods and services payment, in error, by failing to use the correct payment type: friends and family. And the recipient (you), incur a PayPal fee as a result. The system (PayPal), also treats the transaction as if it were a sales transaction asking for shipping info, subject the payment to holds, etc regardless of what you thought the payment is for.

Does the payment status say "Payment Received" on your payment? If so, then that's what happened. The sender failed switch payment type to friends and family.

About fees:

https://www.paypal.com/en/webapps/mpp/paypal-fees

I hope this clears up the confusion.

[Gettingthrough]

Thanks. I'll have to check with them. I haven't had Internet for over a week, so sorry for the delay on your requested kudo.

I didn't request the money from either party. 

At this point, I STILL need PayPal to refund the money and fix the errors. There's just too much going on, but I'll avoid using PayPal again if they don't do what's right.

Thanks and happy Palm Sunday,

Joanne