Why did Paypal take a fee from the money sent to me

[Temp20240206A]

I requested money from someone, and when she paid me, Paypal had deducted a fee. That's never happened before. Is Paypal not free anymore?

[kernowlass]

@Temp20240206A 

Course its not free, how do you think they fund the service they provide and pay their staffs wages?

You pay a fee to receive goods/services payments.

The only time its free to receive funds is if someone sends you a friends/family payment when its the sender not receiver that 'may' pay a fee. They would only pay if funded from a card, if they used balance or bank account its free to send.

However its against paypal rules to use the friends/family option to receive payments for goods or services.

Goods/Services Payments.

1. Invoice or Money Request.
2. Send money > Goods/Services.
3. Paypal.me link (if its a personal account then there should be the option to tick a box to make it a goods/services payment before you submit payment).

Friends/Family Payments.

1. Send money > friends / family (or trusted person).
2. Paypal.me link from a personal account where you don't select the option to make it a goods/services payment.

[Temp20240206A]

I, of course, understand it's not free. They also make money from instant transfer fees and investing funds during the 'float' time between their receipt of the money and the time it takes to get to your own bank. When people initiate the payment of funds to me, there has never been no fee. This time, I sent a request for payment. That must be the difference between the free 'friends and family' payment vs. the request for goods and services. Thank you.

[kernowlass]

@Temp20240206A 

Yes a money request would be seen as a goods/services payment.

However if you have never paid a fee then you must be receiving 'only' friends/family payments?

As I mentioned do not sell and accept that option.

[Temp20240206A]

Thank you! That solves the mystery for me!