Three years ago I had a Toyota Camry rental in Phoenix and that exact burning plastic smell hit me when I hit the first big hill. I told myself it was just the desert heat or maybe the air conditioner acting up. But @casey342 is absolutely right because I ignored it for two days and the brake pedal started feeling soft and spongy on day three. Turned out the brake line was weeping fluid and the plastic smell was the reservoir cap melting from the heat. The rental place actually thanked me because I caught it before the line blew completely on the highway.

Wait, they actually kicked you out? I'm sitting here reading this and I can't believe a coffee shop owner would just walk up and tell someone to leave like that. @iris_barnes87 hit the nail on the head though, asking about slow hours is actually a smart move I never even thought of. It still feels a little extra to me though, like if I'm buying two drinks over four hours that's pretty reasonable in my book. But I guess if the place is packed and people are waiting for tables it makes more sense.

You say "gathering dust" like that's the tool's fault.

@shane170 nailed it, I did the same with landscaping hires and it cut turnover way down.

@the_faith totally gets it, scouting local art supply stores with craft sections can find gems like that.