Note 4 - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]

4. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

● Allowance for uncollectible accounts

We maintain allowances for bad debts based on factors such as the composition of accounts receivable, the age of the accounts, historical bad debt experience, and our evaluation of the financial condition and past collection history of each customer. Accounts are written off as they are deemed uncollectible based on a periodic review of accounts. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,000 and $112,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The following is a roll forward of the allowance for doubtful accounts:

Year ended:	Balance at beginning of year		Reserve "purchased" during year		Additions (reductions) charged to costs and expenses			Foreign exchange gain/loss			Write-offs			Balance at end of year
December 31, 2013	$	111,996		-	$	(106,504	)	$	(727	)	$	(3,594	)	$	1,171
December 31, 2012		80,926		-		77,143			242			(46,315	)		111,996
December 31, 2011		146,929		-		(45,315	)		156			(20,844	)		80,926

● Sales returns and defective merchandise

Product returns are generally recorded directly against sales as those returns occur. Historically, the amount of returns is immaterial and as a result, no reserve is recorded in the financial statements.

● Slow-moving and obsolete inventory

The majority of inventory items maintained by us have no restrictive shelf life. We review all inventory items annually to determine what items should be eliminated from the product line. Items are selected for several reasons: (1) the item is slow-moving; (2) the supplier is unable to provide an acceptable quality or quantity; or (3) to maintain a freshness in the product line. Reductions in inventory for slow-moving and obsolete inventory are recorded directly against inventory.