Note 4 - Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation - Changes In Balance Sheet Account of Consumer Receivables Acquired for Liquidation (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Balance	$ 14,320,000	$ 15,608,000
Acquisitions of receivable portfolios	463,000	4,419,000
Net cash collections from collection of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation	(5,592,000)	(7,293,000)
Net cash collections represented by account sales of consumer receivables acquired for liquidation	(190,000)
Effect of foreign currency translation	(415,000)	(33,000)
Finance income, net	3,298,000	5,142,000
Balance	$ 11,884,000	$ 17,843,000
Finance income as a percentage of collections	57.00%	70.50%