That 'robotic' light is really disappointing. I was hoping it would at least turn the page on my command. Possibly make me a mojito.

They must only have 1 server for the candy it crashed before it started

They should have called it "Free Chocolate in six Weeks Friday." I was expecting to be e-mailed a printable coupon. Actually they snail mail you a coupon which should arrive in six weeks or so. So now I'm craving chocolate, and if I want iti either have to pay for it or steal it. On the bright side, six weeks from now chocolate may be one of the few forms of currency still of value in this country: "One roll of Scottissue. That'll be Sixty Muskateers please."

@jonthomasdesigns: Yeah! C'sumerist needs to put this on their Thursday Morning Deals to give us a head start.

Yeah, Mars link isn't working. Do we really have to add another company name to the list of "too clueless to realize that 'free food' tends to generate an overwhelming response"? The stupidity of these company executives is astonishing to me.

@BenderRodriguez: At least you'll be getting something.

I tried at 9:00am. No server response. Tried again a few moments ago, slow response and errors. My time is worth more than a free Twix.

@RamonaLittle: The worst part is not only is it hard to get to the start of the website to begin with, but there's a million verification steps like checking your DOB that time out.

My time really is worth more than a free chocolate bar...but it's chocolate..and FREE, so i'm compelled to sit here and refresh over and over..

I just spent 20 minutes trying to get a coupon. I repeatedly (i.e. at least 10+ times) got to the page where it said "Congratulations, you are one of the lucky people to get a coupon", but the page would dim down and not allow me to proceed to the next step. Eventually I gave up out of irritation.

If Mars thinks this is a way to generate positive feelings towards their product, it's failed miserably on this end. Don't run a big internet promotion if your servers aren't prepared to handle the crush.

@BenderRodriguez: After the KFC fiasco, you really think printable (copyable) coupons are the right approach? Consumers (either knowingly or unknowingly) will run to the office and make tons of copies. Stores would stop accepting them and Mars would surrender and offer a cheaper mail in offer.

Printable coupons don't work well for free stuff...too big an incentive to cheat.

Mars web site not working. Do not taunt the pregnant woman with a free chocolate bar. Someone is going to die today.

Thank God we have Malley's here. Better chocolate anyway. Screw you, Mars!!!

I have to say, that TigerDirect PC could make for a great deal on a gaming computer, though you'll still need to buy a good graphics card.

@DaWezl: If you try to refresh the url [secure.realchocolate.com] and it goes through then yes, you get the background for the DOB verification but not the verification widget itself.

You have to start over from the beginning unfortunately. It sucks.

@DaWezl: I had the same thing happen to me with the dimmed out page. Their servers were in no way equipped to handle the load. Mars should've anticipated heavy traffic for this one but apparently were too short-sighted to do so.

Since I've worked in integrated marketing and PR firms for the last six years or so, I'm constantly surprised at how stupid some of the big manufacturers are. It's not like campaigns like this haven't been tried before; there's plenty of empirical data showing that when you offer an online promotion, you need to be prepared to handle the firehose of traffic that's coming your way. Unfortunately, none of these large enterprises ever listen or learn from the mistakes of others.

Yes, I'm grumpy today. Being denied free chocolate always sets me off.

Great, just what I wanted for mother's day: Loose-Fit Pleated Pants. Is it stain-repellent too?

If you need any cycling stuff, everything at Nashbar (including bikes and frames) is 20% off today, minimum order 75 bucks.

You know what I love? Most of the comments/complaints are over a free candy bar. bwahaha.

Oh wait, one of them is mine.... Is there a way to delete an earlier comment? DAMN!

@D0rk:

No, we're talking about once you make it past the DOB verification. It's loading up the next step, but then dimming it so that you can't go any further. A coworker did get past that step, but then got locked off on the final registration page.

@DaWezl: @DaWezl: Use the "MOMSGR8" coupon to buy men's pants? That's just wrong.

No candy bar for you! :(

All good things must come to an end.

It doesn't help that Mars has overtaken the AOL page and inbox with a giant ad for their promotion.

And of course, the site is completely inaccessible: An error occurred while processing your request. Reference #97.c3ab1160.1241795583.34fa4a3.

Yay.

@Wendy Sloan: Yea for Mom Jeans!

I was just able to get the free candy coupon very easily, in less than 30 seconds from start to finish.

Just wanted to remind everyone that mars candy bars do have a cost, no matter the price: http://www.marscandykills.com/

@UrsulaIxion: MARS may experiment on animals, but PETA are a bunch of extremists who want to take away my right to own my dog.

@BenderRodriguez: www.petakillsanimals.com PETA is just as guilty as MARS, and are a bunch of hypocrites to boot. They'd rather spend millions on propaganda than use that money to save homeless pets.