What kind of store doesn't back its meat?

I have always been conscience of where I buy meat for my family. At what cost do we find cost cutting is more important than taking a chance at putting our family's health at risk?

On Aug. 11, I purchased a four-pack of skirt steak with a "sell by" date of Aug. 14. I left the meat in the refrigerator until Aug. 13, and then froze it, not realizing the meat had already spoiled. When I took it out of the freezer on Aug. 14 to defrost, the meat was black in color. I determined it would have had to have spoiled prior to being put into the freezer. I kept the meat in the bags it was packed in at checkout and did not notice the meat was spoiled.

When I took the black meat back to the store on Aug. 15, the store manager told me that their meat only has a 24-hour guarantee and she refused to give me my money back.

What kind of store doesn't back their meat through the "sell by" date? I have bought meat at the major supermarket chains and they always go out of their way to return anything that is purchased in the name of customer service. The store manager went so far as to tell me that there must be something wrong with my refrigerator and freezer (which there is not). I urge others to stop and think about what your priorities are when it comes to your family's health.

Ellen Rosenblum

Schaumburg