ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, investment valuation, receivables valuation, revenue recognition, sales returns, incentive discount offers, inventory valuation, depreciable lives of fixed assets and internally-developed software, goodwill valuation, intangible valuation, income taxes, stock-based compensation, performance-based compensation, restructuring liabilities and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Cash equivalents

We classify all highly liquid instruments, including money market funds with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase, as cash equivalents. Cash equivalents were $58.1 million and $76.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Restricted cash

We consider cash that is legally restricted and cash that is held as a compensating balance for letter of credit arrangements as restricted cash. Restricted cash was $1.6 million and $1.9 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Fair value of financial instruments

Our financial instruments, including cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

We account for our assets and liabilities using a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair-value hierarchy:


•	Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;


•	Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets; and


•	Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires us to minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to use observable market data, if available, when determining fair value.

The fair value of these financial instruments was determined using the following levels of inputs as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):



	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013:
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents - Money market mutual funds	$	58,081	$	58,081	$	—	$	—
Trading securities held in a “rabbi trust” (1)	138		138		—		—
Total assets	$	58,219	$	58,219	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation accrual “rabbi trust” (2)	$	212	$	212	$	—	$	—
Total liabilities	$	212	$	212	$	—	$	—

The fair value of these financial instruments was determined using the following levels of inputs as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):



	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012:
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Cash equivalents - Money market mutual funds	$	76,248	$	76,248	$	—	$	—
Trading securities held in a “rabbi trust” (1)	264		264		—		—
Total assets	$	76,512	$	76,512	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation accrual “rabbi trust” (2)	$	266	$	266	$	—	$	—
Restructuring (3)	65		—		—		65
Total liabilities	$	331	$	266	$	—	$	65

___________________________________________


(1)	— Trading securities held in a rabbi trust are included in Other current and long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets.


(2)	— Non qualified deferred compensation in a rabbi trust is included in Accrued liabilities and Other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.


(3)	— The fair value was determined based on the income approach, in which we used internal cash flow projections over the life of the underlying lease agreements discounted based on a credit adjusted risk-free rate of return. See the roll forward related to the restructuring accrual at Note 3—Restructuring Expense.

Restricted investments

We have a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the “NQDC Plan”) for senior management. Deferred compensation amounts are invested in mutual funds held in a “rabbi trust” and are restricted for payment to the participants of the NQDC Plan. We account for our investments held in the trust in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 320 “Investments — Debt and Equity Securities”. The investments held in the trust are classified as trading securities. The fair value of the investments held in the trust totaled $138,000 at December 31, 2013 and are included in Other current and long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Our gains and losses on these investments were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable consist primarily of trade amounts due from customers and from uncleared credit card transactions at period end. Accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts and do not bear interest.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

From time to time, we grant credit to some of our business customers on normal credit terms (typically 30 days). We perform credit evaluations of our business customers’ financial condition and payment history and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon our historical collection experience and expected collectability of accounts receivable. The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable was $152,000 and $797,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in the allowance for doubtful accounts was primarily due to write-offs of accounts receivable during the year ended December 31, 2013, which had no effect on results of operations for the period as the items had been previously reserved.

Concentration of credit risk

Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid instruments with maturities at date of purchase of three months or less. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, two banks held the majority of our cash and cash equivalents. We do not believe that, as a result of this concentration, we are subject to any unusual financial risk beyond the normal risk associated with commercial banking relationships.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and receivables. We invest our cash primarily in money market securities which are uninsured.

Our accounts receivable are derived primarily from revenue earned from customers located in the United States. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon the expected collectability of accounts receivable.

Valuation of inventories

Inventories, consisting of merchandise purchased for resale, are accounted for using a standard costing system which approximates the first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting, and are valued at the lower of cost or market. We write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence and to lower of cost or market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Once established, the original cost of the inventory less the related inventory allowance represents the new cost basis of such products. Reversal of the allowance is recognized only when the related inventory has been sold or scrapped.

Prepaid inventories, net

Prepaid inventories represent inventories paid for in advance of receipt. Prepaid inventories were $1.8 million and $1.9 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Prepaids and other assets

Prepaids and other assets represent expenses paid prior to receipt of the related goods or services, including advertising, license fees, maintenance, packaging, insurance, and other miscellaneous costs. Total prepaids and other assets were $10.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $12.9 million, including precious metals of $3.1 million, at December 31, 2012.

Fixed assets

Fixed assets, which include assets such as technology infrastructure, internal-use software, website development, furniture and fixtures and leasehold improvements, are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or the term of the related capital lease, whichever is shorter, as follows:



	Life (years)
Computer software	2-4
Computer hardware	3-4
Furniture and equipment	3-5

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the related leases or estimated useful lives.

Depreciation and amortization expense is classified within the corresponding operating expense categories on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as follows (in thousands):



	Year ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Cost of goods sold - direct	$	380	$	470	$	714
Technology	12,917		14,177		14,433
General and administrative	1,225		1,362		1,203
Total depreciation and amortization, including internal-use software and website development	$	14,522	$	16,009	$	16,350

Internal-use software and website development

Included in fixed assets is the capitalized cost of internal-use software and website development, including software used to upgrade and enhance our Website and processes supporting our business. We capitalize costs incurred during the application development stage of internal-use software and amortize these costs over the estimated useful life of two to three years. Costs incurred related to design or maintenance of internal-use software are expensed as incurred.

During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we capitalized $11.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively, of costs associated with internal-use software and website development, both developed internally and acquired externally. Amortization of costs associated with internal-use software and website development was $8.0 million and $8.2 million for those respective periods.

Leases

We account for lease agreements as either operating or capital leases depending on certain defined criteria. In certain of our lease agreements, we receive rent holidays and other incentives. We recognize lease costs on a straight-line basis without regard to deferred payment terms, such as rent holidays, that defer the commencement date of required payments. Additionally, tenant improvement allowances are amortized as a reduction in rent expense over the term of the lease. Leasehold improvements are capitalized at cost and amortized over the lesser of their expected useful life or the life of the lease, without assuming renewal features, if any, are exercised.

Treasury stock

We account for treasury stock under the cost method and include treasury stock as a component of stockholders’ equity.

Other long-term assets

Other long-term assets consist primarily of long-term prepaid expenses.

Impairment of long-lived assets

We review property and equipment and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparison of the assets’ carrying amount to future undiscounted net cash flows the asset group is expected to generate. Cash flow forecasts are based on trends of historical performance and management’s estimate of future performance, giving consideration to existing and anticipated competitive and economic conditions. If such asset group is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair values. There were no impairments to long-lived assets recorded during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Precious Metals

Our investments in precious metals were $9.7 million at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2012, our investments in precious metals were $3.1 million and were included in Prepaids and other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2013 these investments were comprised of $4.0 million in gold and $5.7 million in silver and are stored at an off-site secure facility. Because these assets consist of actual precious metals, rather than financial instruments, we account for them as a cost method investment initially recorded at cost (including transaction fees) and then adjusted to the lower of cost of market based on an average unit cost. On an interim basis, we recognize decreases in the value of these assets caused by market declines. Subsequent increases in the value of these assets through market price recoveries during the same fiscal year are recognized in the later interim period, but may not exceed the total previously recognized decreases in value during the same year. Gains or losses resulting from changes in the value of our precious metal assets are recorded in Other income (expense), net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Losses on investments in precious metals were $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. There were no losses on investments in precious metals for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the tangible net assets acquired in business combinations.

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, we make a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. The impairment loss, if any, is calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to the other assets and liabilities within the reporting unit based on estimated fair value. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount allocated to its other assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

In accordance with this guidance, we test for impairment of goodwill in the fourth quarter or when we deem that a triggering event has occurred. Goodwill totaled $2.8 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012. There were no impairments to goodwill recorded during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Revenue recognition

We derive our revenue primarily from direct revenue and fulfillment partner revenue from merchandise sales. We also earn revenue from advertising on our shopping and other pages. We have organized our operations into two principal segments based on the primary source of revenue: direct revenue and fulfillment partner revenue (see Note 22—Business Segments).

Revenue is recognized when the following revenue recognition criteria are met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or the service has been provided; (3) the selling price or fee revenue earned is fixed or determinable; and (4) collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Revenue related to merchandise sales is recognized upon delivery to our customers. As we ship high volumes of packages through multiple carriers, it is not practical for us to track the actual delivery date of each shipment. Therefore, we use estimates to determine which shipments are delivered and, therefore, recognized as revenue at the end of the period. Our delivery date estimates are based on average shipping transit times, which are calculated using the following factors: (i) the type of shipping carrier (as carriers have different in-transit times); (ii) the fulfillment source (either our warehouses or those of our fulfillment partners); (iii) the delivery destination; and (iv) actual transit time experience, which shows that delivery date is typically one to eight business days from the date of shipment. We review and update our estimates on a quarterly basis based on our actual transit time experience. However, actual shipping times may differ from our estimates.

We evaluate the criteria outlined in ASC Topic 605-45, Principal Agent Considerations, in determining whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of product sales and related costs or the net amount earned as commissions. When we are the primary obligor in a transaction, are subject to inventory risk, have latitude in establishing prices and selecting suppliers, or have several but not all of these indicators, revenue is recorded gross. If we are not the primary obligor in the transaction and amounts earned are determined using a fixed percentage, revenue is recorded on a net basis. Currently, the majority of both direct revenue and fulfillment partner revenue is recorded on a gross basis, as we are the primary obligor. We present revenue net of sales taxes.

We periodically provide incentive offers to our customers to encourage purchases. Such offers include current discount offers, such as percentage discounts off current purchases and other similar offers, which, when used by customers, are treated as a reduction of revenue.

Based upon our historical experience, revenue typically increases during the fourth quarter because of the holiday retail season.

Direct revenue

Direct revenue is derived from merchandise sales to individual consumers and businesses that are fulfilled from our warehouses. Direct revenue comes from merchandise sales that occur primarily through our Website, but may also occur through offline and other channels.

Fulfillment partner revenue

Fulfillment partner revenue is derived from merchandise sales which fulfillment partners ship directly to consumers and businesses from warehouses maintained by our fulfillment partners. Fulfillment partner revenue comes from merchandise sales that occur primarily through our Website, but may also occur through offline and other channels.

Club O loyalty program

We have a customer loyalty program called Club O for which we sell annual memberships. We record membership fees as deferred revenue and we recognize revenue ratably over the membership period. The Club O loyalty program allows members to earn reward dollars for qualifying purchases made on our Website. We also have a co-branded credit card program (see “Co-branded credit card revenue” below for more information). Co-branded cardholders are also Club O members and earn additional reward dollars for purchases made on our Website, and from other merchants. Reward dollars earned may be redeemed on future purchases made through our Website. Club O reward dollars expire 90 days after the customer’s Club O membership expires. We account for these transactions as multiple element arrangements and allocate revenue to the elements using their relative fair values. We include the value of reward dollars earned in deferred revenue and we record it as a reduction of revenue at the time the reward dollars are earned.

We recognize revenue for Club O reward dollars when customers redeem their reward dollars as part of a purchase at our Website. We recognize other income when Club O reward dollars expire or the likelihood of reward dollars being redeemed by a customer is remote (“reward dollar breakage”). Reward dollar breakage is currently recognized when the reward dollars expire.

In instances where customers receive free Club O reward dollars not associated with any purchases, we account for these transactions as sales incentives such as coupons and record a reduction of revenue at the time the reward dollars are redeemed.

Co-branded credit card program

We have a co-branded credit card agreement with a commercial bank for the issuance of credit cards bearing the Overstock.com brand, under which the bank pays us fees for new accounts and for customer usage of the cards. The agreement also provides for a customer loyalty program offering reward points that customers will accrue from card usage and can use to make purchases on our Website (see “Club O loyalty program” above for more information). New account fees are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the credit card relationship which runs through April 2015. Credit card usage fees are recognized as revenues as actual credit card usage occurs. Revenues from new account and credit card usage fees were less than 1% of total net revenues for all periods presented.

Deferred revenue

Customer orders are recorded as deferred revenue prior to delivery of products or services ordered. We record amounts received for Club O membership fees as deferred revenue and we recognize it ratably over the membership period. We record Club O reward dollars earned from purchases as deferred revenue at the time they are earned and we recognize it as revenue upon redemption. If reward dollars are not redeemed, we recognize other income upon expiration. In addition, we sell gift cards and record related deferred revenue at the time of the sale. We sell gift cards without expiration dates and we recognize revenue from a gift card upon redemption of the gift card. If a gift card is not redeemed, we recognize other income when the likelihood of its redemption becomes remote based on our historical redemption experience. We consider the likelihood of redemption to be remote after 36 months.

Sales returns allowance

We inspect returned items when they arrive at our processing facility. We refund the full cost of the merchandise returned and all original shipping charges if the returned item is defective or we or our fulfillment partners have made an error, such as shipping the wrong product.

If the return is not a result of a product defect or a fulfillment error and the customer initiates a return of an unopened item within 30 days of delivery, for most products we refund the full cost of the merchandise minus the original shipping charge and actual return shipping fees. However, we reduce refunds for returns initiated more than 30 days after delivery or that are received at our returns processing facility more than 45 days after initial delivery.

If our customer returns an item that has been opened or shows signs of wear, we issue a partial refund minus the original shipping charge and actual return shipping fees.

Revenue is recorded net of estimated returns. We record an allowance for returns based on current period revenues and historical returns experience. We analyze actual historical returns, current economic trends and changes in order volume and acceptance of our products when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns allowance in any accounting period.

The allowance for returns was $13.2 million and $10.6 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012 respectively.

Credit card chargeback allowance

Revenue is recorded net of credit card chargebacks. We maintain an allowance for credit card chargebacks based on current period revenues and historical chargeback experience. The allowance for chargebacks was $94,000 and $182,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold includes product costs, warehousing costs, outbound shipping costs, handling and fulfillment costs, customer service costs and credit card fees, and is recorded in the same period in which related revenues have been recorded. Cost of goods sold, including product cost and other costs and fulfillment and related costs are as follows (in thousands):



	Year ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Total revenue, net	$	1,304,217	100%	$	1,099,289	100%	$	1,054,277	100%
Cost of goods sold
Product costs and other cost of goods sold	999,519		77%	848,842		77%	821,739		78%
Fulfillment and related costs	57,038		4%	52,017		5%	53,450		5%
Total cost of goods sold	1,056,557		81%	900,859		82%	875,189		83%
Gross profit	$	247,660	19%	$	198,430	18%	$	179,088	17%

Advertising expense

We expense the costs of producing advertisements the first time the advertising takes place and expense the cost of communicating advertising in the period during which the advertising space or airtime is used. Internet advertising expenses are recognized as incurred based on the terms of the individual agreements, which are generally: 1) a commission for traffic driven to the Website that generates a sale or 2) a referral fee based on the number of clicks on keywords or links to our Website generated during a given period. Advertising expense is included in sales and marketing expenses and totaled $82.1 million, $55.6 million and $52.5 million during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Prepaid advertising (included in Prepaids and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets) was $1.4 million and $1.2 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Stock-based compensation

We measure compensation expense for all outstanding unvested share-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest at the greater of a straight line basis or on an accelerated schedule when vesting of restricted stock awards exceeds a straight line basis. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual results differ from estimates, such amounts will be recorded as an adjustment in the period estimates are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, and historical experience. Actual results may differ substantially from these estimates (see Note 17—Stock-Based Awards).

Loss contingencies

In the normal course of business, we are involved in legal proceedings and other potential loss contingencies. We accrue a liability for such matters when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When only a range of probable loss can be estimated, the most probable amount in the range is accrued. If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued. We expense legal fees as incurred (see Note 13—Commitments and Contingencies).

Restructuring

Restructuring expenses are primarily comprised of lease termination costs. ASC Topic 420, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities, requires that when an entity ceases using a property that is leased under an operating lease before the end of the contractual term, the termination costs should be recognized and measured at fair value when the entity ceases using the facility. Key assumptions in determining the restructuring expenses include the terms that may be negotiated to exit certain contractual obligations (see Note 3—Restructuring Expense).

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expenses. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including projected future taxable income, scheduled reversals of our deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies and results of recent operations.

At December 31, 2013 based on our evaluation of the positive and negative evidence described in Note 20—Income Taxes, we concluded that the positive evidence outweighed the negative evidence and that it was more likely than not that we will realize all of our deferred tax assets. Consequently, at December 31, 2013 we reduced our deferred tax asset valuation allowance to zero. At December 31, 2012, we had a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset, net of expected reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities.

We have tax deductions from stock-based compensation that exceed the stock-based compensation recorded for such instruments. To the extent such excess tax benefits are ultimately realized, they will increase shareholders’ equity. We utilize the with-and-without approach in determining if and when such excess tax benefits are realized, and under this approach excess tax benefits related to stock based compensation are the last to be realized.

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common shares for the period by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares, comprising incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and restricted stock awards are included in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share to the extent such shares are dilutive.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):



	Year ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Net income (loss)	$	88,509	$	14,669	$	(19,438	)
Deemed dividend related to redeemable common stock	—		—		(12		)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares	$	88,509	$	14,669	$	(19,450	)
Net income (loss) per common share—basic:
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares—basic	$	3.73	$	0.63	$	(0.84	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic	23,714		23,387		23,259
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock awards	580		285		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted	24,294		23,672		23,259
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares—diluted	$	3.64	$	0.62	$	(0.84	)

The following shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted shares outstanding as their effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):



	Year ended December 31,
	2013	2012	2011
Stock options and restricted stock units	154	537	927

Accounting pronouncements adopted

We adopted ASU 2013-11, which clarifies current guidance by eliminating diversity in practice on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The amendments generally clarify FASB ASC Topic 740 by specifying that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, subject to certain exceptions. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.