Fifteen minutes? But it's just down the street!

I had a conversation with Daisuke recently that may serve to illuminate both the wuality of Japanese retail service and the expectations of the customers. The other day he bought a bento from the Lawson convenience store down the street from his bar. Upon returning to the bar he realized that there wasn't any sauce and he didn't have the appropriate one in his kitchen. So, naturally he called the store and asked someone to come and bring it as it's only a five minute walk. He waited fifteen minutes and still - no sauce. So he called again: "Where on earth are you? I've been waiting fifteen minutes." The staff responded that they were just leaving now and he was floored. In telling the story, he turned and repeated to me, "Just leaving now!" clearly amazed at their careless attitude towards work.
I encourage my North American readers, should there be any who frequent the AM/PM or such, to call the convenience store when something is missing from a purchase, such as sugar for your coffee or cheese for your soft pretzel.