Note 15 - Fair Value of Financial Measurements and Disclosures - Fair Value of Financial Measurements (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Investments in equity securities (Level 1)	$ 8,234,000	$ 8,136,000
Available-for-sale debt securities (Level 2)	60,587,000	56,123,000	[1]
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash equivalents (Level 1)	66,000	64,000
Investments in equity securities (Level 1)	8,234,000	8,136,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities (Level 2)	60,587,000	56,123,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Consumer receivables acquired for liquidation (Level 3)	1,448,000	1,668,000
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Cash equivalents (Level 1)	66,000	64,000
Investments in equity securities (Level 1)	8,234,000	8,136,000	[2]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available-for-sale debt securities (Level 2)	60,587,000	56,123,000	[2]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Consumer receivables acquired for liquidation (Level 3)	$ 26,221,000	$ 25,783,000	[2]

[1] At September 30, 2018, the Company reported investments in equity securities and available for sale debt securities as a single line item on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. With the Company's adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 on October 1, 2018, the Company has included the current breakout above for comparability purposes only.

[2] At September 30, 2018, the Company reported investments in equity securities and available-for-sale debt securities as a single line item on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. With the Company's adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 on October 1, 2018, the Company has included the current breakout above for comparability purposes only.