Sweet end to Mars mission

What started off as a bitter experience has had a sweet ending for chocolate fan John Waters.

Yesterday Mr Waters was given three months' supply of Mars bars, more than making up for the two free bars he was denied last week.

"I really didn't expect that from them," he said when the Taranaki Daily News delivered his gift from Mars New Zealand.

"That's very nice and much appreciated."

Given that he likes to cut each bar into four and have a couple of pieces each night, the 48 bars should last Mr Waters about 96 days.

Last Friday Mr Waters attempted to redeem two wrappers entitling him to free Mars bars at his local dairy but was refused.

"I was told they weren't taking part in the promotion, despite having marked bars for sale in their dairy," he said.

"I showed them the wrapper, which says you can get your free bar at any participating retailer, but they said they weren't participating.

"If you're selling the bars, you should be redeeming them."

A spokesman for Mars NZ said by having the bars on their shelves, the dairy was participating in the Mars Free Bars promotion.

A representative from the company would visit the shop to find out why Mr Waters was refused his free bars, he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News