Customer receives mail order and denies receipt even though package was signed for!

[mich7713]

I run an online business selling designer handbags. A customer orders a handbag for $1229.00 which I shipped to him. The order was shipped to the billing address on the credit card used for the order which is in Springfield gardens NY. The package was signed for, but by someone else in that household instead of the card holder. The credit card company reversed the $1229.00 transaction (removed it directly from my bank account -ouch!) they stated because the card holder himself didnt sign for the package he says he never received it!
I went to my post office and spoke to the postmaster to see if there is a way to even ship a package to "adressee only" and he stated there is NO way to specify that even if it is sent certified - anyone in the address it is sent to can legally sign for it! So this customer is abviously being fraudulent so I need to know how to get my money back since we are in different states? Please help me!

 

[ndragon]

Did you post office provide you a copy of the signature form? Can you prove that it was a person at that address who signed for the package? If so then I would think you have a case against the customer.
Unfortunately I don't know how you would file that case considering it was in another state. Perhaps there is someone else on this forum that would be able to help you with that.
Best of luck. Sorry to hear about this. I hate knowing there are such dishonest people.

-Nick

 

[Timbert]

Use 'Restricted Delivery'

I think your postmaster is an idiot.

I haven't worked with the mail in over twenty-five years and then only briefly while in the military, but I know what you are asking about is called restricted delivery. Only the addressee or their authorized agent (specified in writing to the local postmaster) can sign for the package not just anybody at the address.