I am the person they created automatic shut-off heated appliances for.

I came through the door to my office this morning to the smell of burnt coffee. I immediately knew that it was the fault of the primitive coffee maker in our office that I use everyday. It doesn't have a time at which it automatically shuts off. In addition to creating a fire hazard, I had to clean a crusty mess out of the pot this morning before I could brew my first cup.

I personally wouldn't even consider buying a heated appliance for my home/office that didn't have an automatic shut-off. Every heated appliance in my home has an automatic shut-off - curling iron, iron, coffee maker, even my hair dryer, though I think one would have to be a moron to leave that on.