I am sorry for posting about this, since it’s a recurring issue, but I can’t do anything else about it.
You’re making it sound like you actually had to pay. It’s like with other instances. You can donate, but you don’t have to. Unfortunately, I am unable to do so due to them using PayPal without allowing guest payments from Slovakia, so I am here for free. I wish they used OpenCollective.
But let’s snap back. Where exactly did you have to pay? I feel like you might have gotten scammed.