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AIBU?

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Original poster

Will you be home all day?

34 replies

LumpyandBumps · 24/07/2025 15:12

Quite lighthearted but is anyone happy to have a buyer come to collect an item they are purchasing at an unspecified time?
I’ve been selling things on Facebook Marketplace.
I am mostly retired and can probably arrange to be home at any time convenient to the buyer.
When I ask when they would like to collect they invariably suggest a morning or afternoon, sometimes a whole day, and then ask if I will be here the whole time.
I then have to explain that whilst I can be here at any time they suggest in advance I can’t be here all the time, which seems to confuse people.
I don’t really think I’m being awkward ( posting in AIBU is a good way to find out), but I hate waiting around for people. I can’t pop to the shop or drop off something to a neighbour, have a shower, and I even feel like I need to rush when going to the loo in case I miss them. I also have a dog who is like Houdini and it works better to know an approximate time so that I can make sure he’s safely inside.
Are some people genuinely ok with callers coming at any time?

OP posts:
CalicoPusscat · 24/07/2025 15:30

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat that's funny 😂

Visitors should give a timeslot, which is NOT the entire day. Even with a timeslot if you have to dash to the loo you worry you won't hear the doorbell/knock

twoshedsjackson · 24/07/2025 15:29

I agree with @ladyofshertonabbas , "listening out for the bell" is another good one; I genuinely don't hear the front door if I'm at the far end of the garden.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 24/07/2025 15:27

I'm in my 60's and it seems to gobsmack certain agencies that I am not just sitting in all day crocheting and ringing my offspring. I've had my doctor's surgery try to send me appointment times (for an asthma clinic, when my asthma is the LEAST of my worries) which are always during the day and being totally taken aback when I say 'actually I'll be at work then.' Do people genuinely think everyone over the age of fifty five is drawing a pension and watching Midsomer Murders all day?

Glitchymn1 · 24/07/2025 15:26

Yes I’m home all day today.

ladyofshertonabbas · 24/07/2025 15:25

yanbu, I ask for a half hour window out of the whole day (supposedly so I can listen out for the bell, but actually it's so I don't have to feel twitchy all day about the door going.)

twoshedsjackson · 24/07/2025 15:24

I've said something along these lines to handymen, gardeners etc.
"I have things to do, some of them involve going out, but if you give me a rough idea of a timeslot, I'll make it my business to be here".
Polite way of letting them know that you're not to be left hanging about all day.

WonderingWanda · 24/07/2025 15:23

I always say " Won't be going far but best to text before you come to check I'm home"

AwakeNotThruChoice · 24/07/2025 15:15

Definitely not.

I usually give a 15 min minute window. Same when I buy something

SJM1988 · 24/07/2025 15:14

I prefer a specific time.
Although I WFH sometimes, I can't guarantee I won't be on the phone or in a meeting so a specific time allows me to make sure I'm not.
I hate the 'I'll collect at some point this evening' answers. Evening could be anything from 5pm to 11pm depending on who you are.