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ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE [Abstract]  
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Note 2, Accounts Receivable:

Amounts financed under our in-house credit programs, as a percent of net sales, including sales tax, were approximately 4.6% in 2012, 5.2% in 2011 and 5.7% in 2010. The credit programs selected most often by our customers is "12 months no interest with equal monthly payments." The terms of the other programs vary as to payment terms (30 days to two years) and interest rates (0% to 21%).  The receivables are collateralized by the merchandise sold.

Accounts receivable balances resulting from certain credit promotions have scheduled payment amounts which extend beyond one year. These receivable balances have been historically collected earlier than the scheduled dates. The amounts due per the scheduled payment dates approximate as follows:  $10,112,000 in 2013, $660,000 in 2014, $142,000 in 2015 and $5,000 in 2016 for receivables outstanding at December 31, 2012.

Accounts receivable are shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $395,000 and $525,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We provide an allowance utilizing a methodology which considers the balances in problem and delinquent categories of accounts, historical write-offs, existing economic conditions and management judgment. We assess the adequacy of the allowance account at the end of each quarter.  Interest assessments are continued on past-due accounts but no "interest on interest" is recorded. Delinquent accounts are generally written off automatically after the passage of nine months without receiving a full scheduled monthly payment. Accounts are written off sooner in the event of a discharged bankruptcy or other circumstances that make further collections unlikely.

We believe that the carrying value of existing customer receivables, net of allowances, approximates fair value because of their short average maturity. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to customer receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising our account base and their dispersion across 17 states.