Dear Charles;
While I was standing in line at Wells Fargo today, I noticed red, white and blue helium balloons. These balloons were inscribed with the message "Celebrating 150 years of your success.

Well Charles, I did not know we were celebrating Wells Fargo successes, I thought we were celebrating the 232rd Birthday of the USA. You know, our God Blessed nation that provided Wells Fargo with the opportunities to succeed these past 150 years.

Frankly, I'm quite offended Wells Fargo took the opportunity of our Independence Day to congratulate themselves. I'm sure Mr.Wells and Mr.Fargo would feels the same. Maybe next year, Wells Fargo can display a little "patriotism" and mention on the fancy little balloons "Happy Birthday America," or "Celebrating 233 Years of Independence and Freedom." You know... something that would make one think that perhaps Wells Fargo was just a little bit proud of the country that help build them.

I was not the only American standing in line that was offended by those balloons, we all felt this was some sneaky little form of American bashing, which is so in vogue these day.

Wells Fargo... Independence Day is not about YOU.

I loved it, thank you ! I'm in the Buffalo, NY area and both Mr. Fargo and Mr. Wells are part of our local history. My customers love to know this.

Hi Anonymous:

Thanks for telling me about your experience. I understand. You're right, of course -- Independence Day is about everyone who has lived the American promise, and it's tacky to use it to sell cars, loans or power tools. I feel just like you when I'm bombarded by ads for "4th of July BLOWOUT at so-and-so Furniture store!!"

But we get it every year.

I know Wells Fargo doesn't have a specific sales and service program geared around the 4th. It just so happens you went in to a banking store where they put up red, white and blue balloons to show their spirit. (Can you tell me where?)

Trouble is, those balloons were 6 years old!! They're from Wells Fargo's 150th anniversary in 2002.

I think the store whipped out the red, white and blue they found in the storeroom, but didn't take the time to notice the inscription. And if they did notice, they probably felt that the message was neighborly, not sales-ey.

To be honest, I think they made the mistake from their ENTHUSIASM, not from "America bashing" or trying to make an extra nickel. They put up the wrong balloons because they wanted to celebrate the 4th of July!

Feel free to email me at "FEEDBACK" below, and we can figure it out.