CONSOLDIATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (5,795)	$ 576	$ 4,340
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	646	1,863	835
Provision for doubtful accounts	532	(12)	108
Impairment of goods held for sale or auction	4,675	428	194
Effect of foreign currency on operations	137	226	(98)
Loss from equity investment in Great American Real Estate, LLC and Shoon Trading Limited	0	177	120
Gain from bargain purchase	0	0	(1,366)
Loss on disposal of assets	91	0	3
Deferred income taxes	(2,984)	989	1,366
Income allocated to mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interests	1,892	1,897	1,928
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and advances against customer contracts	(15,195)	5,145	(6,172)
Lease finance receivable	107	(8,099)	0
Securities owned	(16,006)	0	0
Inventory	0	455	1,618
Goods held for sale or auction	9,414	(1,625)	2,361
Loan receivable	0	156	8,519
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(59)	167	(33)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(1,142)	(3,971)	1,641
Amounts due to related parties	168	0	0
Securities sold not yet purchased	(176)	0	0
Auction and liquidation proceeds payable	665	(864)	846
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(23,030)	(2,492)	16,210
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of business	0	0	(1,246)
Cash acquired from acquisition of B. Riley & Co., Inc.	2,667	0	0
Deconsolidation of Shoon Trading Limited	0	(1,564)	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	0	0	(95)
Purchases of property and equipment	(252)	(1,142)	(634)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	0	0	21
Collection of receivable - related party	1,200	611	3,233
Equity investment in Great American Real Estate, LLC	0	(21)	(120)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	(7,282)	7,598	(7,923)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(3,667)	5,482	(6,764)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Repayments of) proceeds from revolving line of credit	(277)	(1,971)	362
Proceeds from asset based credit facility	12,796	5,710	0
Payment of financing costs	0	(375)	0
Repayment of notes payable and capital lease obligations	(286)	(2,785)	(2,138)
Repayments of long-term debt	(31,724)	(1,724)	(1,724)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	51,233	0	0
Proceeds from formation of noncontrolling interests	0	0	78
Dividends paid	(479)	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,794)	(1,930)	(2,466)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	29,469	(3,075)	(5,888)
Effect of foreign currency on cash	(39)	231	129
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,733	146	3,687
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	18,867	18,721	15,034
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	21,600	18,867	18,721
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid	1,501	1,724	2,616
Income taxes paid	$ 44	$ 175	$ 278