Or does "unable to be there before 5pm" not mean...

[user1471538945]

...you'll be there at or not long after that time?! This was after me suggesting a time of 3/3.30pm. Effing Freecycle. This was all only arranged about 2pm today - said she wanted to collect today - I said I'd see her at 5pm - over 2 effing hours now. Can't even leave it outside as it's electrical. Never had a no-show-er or even a latecomer before but haven't offered anything on it for ages.

Ffs, I just want to get into my pjs

Did she agree to 5pm or say not before 5pm?

Not anytime before 5pm would mean 6-9pm to me

After I said I'd see her at 5, her response was "see you then". It's going to be one of those phrases that people interpret differently, isn't it??!

I would say she's not coming.

And you've already given ample time.

Think it was clear when you said "see you at 5" and she agreed.

Urgh, so annoying. Putting pjs on!

I'd give up on her. Last time we freecycled something we had 3 no-shows before someone finally turned up - so frustrating

It's a shame because THIS is why I don't sell/freecycle things.

I also tried freecycle but got frustrated about how difficult it was to give stuff away to people. Even if you are giving it away for free with an honest description about conditon there are a lot of people that can find several ways to be unhappy about it or to dick you about.

Other Mumsnetters have recommended ebay with free/99p BIN collection only, so effectively the same thing, seems to attract a less entitled class of people.

Thanks for replies - she never showed It's so annoying and it really would put me off doing it again

Not before 5 means just that; 5 is the earliest they can make it. With the implication that it'll be very soon after... They're not coming, the rude gits.