Why am i being charged a dispute fee for a refund I never disputed?

[jsd777]

Hi, A month or so ago, I logged into my PayPal account and noticed my balance was raised because someone sent me money unexpectedly. Turns out someone bought an item (that was already sold long ago) from an old account on a selling app that i haven’t used or logged into in years. I didn’t even know it still existed honestly, and had no idea that i still had one listing up - although my account was clearly inactive. Seller initiated a return due to this, which obviously makes sense. I did not dispute the refund at all (since there’d be absolutely zero reason to do so). The buyer’s refund went through today - but now my account is -$15. I think this is unfair because i had nothing to do with any of this transaction at all other than refunding the amount. Is this something that PayPal will waive? I’ve explained to customer service already but am waiting to hear back. I really think this is unfair.

[kernowlass]

@jsd777 

You didn't dispute the refund but did you actually 'issue' a refund or did you leave it to paypal or the buyers card issuer to refund the buyer? 

[jsd777]

No I was told that when you recieve money in your account that shouldn’t be there, it’s best to let PayPal handle it themselves. Hence me not disputing it or trying to keep the money. I didn’t want the money i wanted them to take it out of my account. I don’t understand why I’d be charged for something i had nothing to do with. It’s like if i sent money to a random PayPal account then asked for it back while also asking PayPal to punish the unsuspecting person i sent the money to

[kernowlass]

@jsd777 

All you had to do was issue a refund, if you did not then paypal would have to find in favour of the buyer and refund them charging you a fee.

[jsd777]

I called PayPal and told them and they let me win. Thanks for the replies though i appreciate it

[kernowlass]

@jsd777 

Well the odd times I have received funds I did not expect I reached out to the sender to check if it was an error, if it was then I just hit the refund option and sent it back to them. That way they didn't need to open a dispute. However if they did open a dispute I would just refund and the dispute would just close. 

You were charged as you let it go through to paypal who then had to make a decision and issue a refund on the buyers/senders behalf and so you were charged.