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2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 29, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies | Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. ARCA Recycling, Inc., a California corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary that was formed in November 1991 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility energy efficiency programs. ARCA Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary that was formed in September 2006 to provide turnkey recycling services for electric utility energy efficiency programs. Customer Connexx, LLC, a Nevada Corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary that was formed in formed in October 2016 to provide call center services for electric utility programs. On August 15, 2017, ARCA sold its 50% interest in AAP and is no longer including the results of AAP in its consolidated financial statements as of that date. AAP was a joint venture formed in October 2009 between ARCA and 4301 Operations, LLC (“4301”). ARCA and 4301 owned a 50% interest in AAP through August 15, 2017. The financial position and results of operations of AAP were consolidated in our financial statements through August 15, 2017, based on our conclusion that AAP is a variable interest entity due to our contribution in excess of 50% of the total equity, subordinated debt and other forms of financial support. See Note 6 – Sale and deconsolidation of variable interest entity AAP to these consolidated financial statements. On August 18, 2017, we acquired GeoTraq, which was accounted for as an asset acquisition. GeoTraq is engaged in the development, design, and, ultimately, we expect, sale of cellular transceiver modules, also known as Cell-ID modules. GeoTraq has created a dedicated Cell-ID transceiver module that we believe can enable the design of extremely small, inexpensive products that can operate for years on a single charge, powered by standardly available batteries of diminutive size without the need of recharge. Accordingly, and utilizing Cell-ID technology exclusively, we believe that GeoTraq will provide an exclusive, low-cost solution and service life that will enable new global markets for location-based services (LBS). GeoTraq, Inc. is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is a Nevada corporation. On December 30, 2017, we sold our 100% interest in ApplianceSmart. Appliancesmart was formed through a corporate reorganization in July 2011 to hold our business of selling new major household appliances through a chain of Company-owned retail stores. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumption that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made in connection with the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the estimated reserve for doubtful current and long-term trade and other receivables, the estimated reserve for excess and obsolete inventory, estimated fair value and forfeiture rates for stock-based compensation, fair values in connection with the analysis of intangibles and long-lived assets for impairment, valuation allowance against deferred tax assets and estimated useful lives for intangible assets and property and equipment. Financial Instruments Financial instruments consist primarily of cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, advances to affiliates and obligations under accounts payable, accrued expenses and notes payable. The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, trade receivables and other receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and short-term notes payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We carry unsecured trade receivables at the original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a monthly review of all outstanding amounts. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering a customer’s financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions. We write off trade receivables when we deem them uncollectible. We record recoveries of trade receivables previously written off when we receive them. We consider a trade receivable to be past due if any portion of the receivable balance is outstanding for more than ninety days. We do not charge interest on past due receivables. Our management considers the allowance for doubtful accounts of $61 and $61 to be adequate to cover any exposure to loss as of September 29, 2018, and December 30, 2017, respectively. Inventories Inventories, consisting primarily of Appliances, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a specific identification basis, or market. We provide estimated provisions for the obsolescence of our appliance inventories, including adjustment to market, based on various factors, including the age of such inventory and our management’s assessment of the need for such provisions. We look at historical inventory aging reports and margin analyses in determining our provision estimate. A revised cost basis is used once a provision for obsolescence is recorded. The Company does not have a reserve for obsolete inventory at September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017. Property and Equipment Property and Equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred and additions and improvements that significantly extend the lives of assets are capitalized. Upon sale or other retirement of depreciable property, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in operations. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives of building and improvements are eighteen to thirty years, transportation equipment is three to fifteen years, machinery and equipment are five to ten years, furnishings and fixtures are three to five years and office and computer equipment are three to five years. We periodically review our property and equipment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable or their depreciation or amortization periods should be accelerated. We assess recoverability based on several factors, including our intention with respect to our stores and those stores projected undiscounted cash flows. An impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value, as approximated by the present value of their projected discounted cash flows. Intangible Assets The Company’s intangible assets consist of a patent, use of internet domain names, Universal Resource Locators, or URL’s, software, and marketing and technology related intangibles. Upon acquisition, critical estimates are made in valuing acquired intangible assets, which include but are not limited to: future expected cash flows from customer contracts, customer lists, and estimating cash flows from projects when completed; tradename and market position, as well as assumptions about the period of time that customer relationships will continue; and discount rates. Management's estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from the assumptions used in determining the fair values. All intangible assets are capitalized at their original cost and amortized over their estimated useful lives as follows: domain name and marketing – 3 to 20 years; software – 3 to 5 years, customer relationships – 7 to 15 years. Revenue Recognition We record contract revenue with customers in the period when all of the following requirements have been met: (i) there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, (ii) the sales transaction price is fixed or determinable, (iii) title, ownership and risk of loss have been transferred to the customer (iv) allocation of sales price to specific performance obligations, and (v) performance obligations are satisfied. We recognize revenue and a receivable per customer upon confirmed and accepted pickup of the to be recycled appliance for appliance recycling services when we collect and recycle the old appliance. No provision for bad debt is provided at the time of recording revenue given the credit of our customers. All direct costs are either paid and or accrued for in the period in which the appliance recycling service is provided. We recognize revenue and a receivable per customer upon confirmed and accepted delivery of the replacement appliance, and/or pickup of the to be recycled appliance. The delivery of the replacement appliance is one performance obligation and the pickup of the to be recycled appliance is another performance obligation. Revenue is recorded for each performance obligation. No provision for bad debt is provided at the time of recording revenue given the credit of our customers. All direct costs are either paid and or accrued for in the period in which the replacement appliance(s) and program service(s) are provided. Customer’s do not typically have a right to return appliances sold. The manufacturer’s warranty is the only warranty provided to a customer. We do not have any contracts with third-party recycling customers that we sell recycling byproduct or carbon offsets. We recognize the revenue from the sale of carbon offsets and ozone-depleting refrigerants upon having in writing a mutually agreed upon price per pound, confirmed delivery, verification of volume and purity of the refrigerant by the buyer and collectability is reasonably assured. Other recycling byproduct revenue (the sale of copper, steel, plastic and other recoverable non-refrigerant byproducts) is recorded as revenue upon delivery to the third-party recycling customer for processing, having a mutually agreed upon price per pound and collection reasonably assured. Transfer of control occurs at the time the customer is in possession of the byproduct material. Funds are sent to the Company by the customer typically by check for the actual weight, type and in some cases volume of the byproduct delivered multiplied by the market rate as quoted. The Company has changed its accounting for revenue recognition for revenue derived from Contracts with our customers and the related costs associated with those contracts effective December 31, 2017 due to the adoption of ASC 606 Revenue from contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). The Company adopted the modified retrospective transition method, of making the transition effective December 31, 2017. The Company has applied ASC 606 and ASC 340-40 Contracts with Customers (“ASC 340”) to only those contracts that were not completed as of December 31, 2017. The effect of applying ASC 606 and ASC 340-40 as of December 31, 2017, requires the Company to (a) determine that amount of revenue and related costs it would have recognized in the period of adoption if it had continued to apply legacy GAAP in that period and (b) disclose the change for each financial statement item affected and explain the reasons for those changes that are significant. The Company has determined that the effect of applying ASC 606 and ASC 340-40 as of December 31, 2017 was zero. For the Quarter ended September 29, 2018: Revenue recognized for Company contracts - $9,072 and $10,376 for the 13 weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. Revenue recognized for Company contracts - $24,282 and $25,363 for the 39 weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. Byproduct revenue is not contract revenue and amounts for Byproduct revenue have been excluded from Revenue recognized for Company contracts for all periods presented. There was no impairment (or credit) losses on accounts receivable or contract assets related to Company contracts that were recognized in accordance with ASC 310 Receivables or ASC 326-30 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The Company provides replacement appliances and program services, mainly recycling of aged appliances to Utility customers. The Company operates in 24 states within the continental United States, and two provinces of Canada. The Company does not enter into contracts with for byproduct or carbon offset revenue. The Company uses a direct sales channel and typically enters into contracts for recycling program services and replacement appliances lasting a few months up to a couple of years in length. The Company has two reportable segments – Recycling and Technology. The Technology segment currently generates no revenue. Contract revenue for the recycling segment is recorded upon the confirmed delivery and or pickup of the aged appliance for both replacement appliance revenue and program services revenue. Byproduct revenue is record upon delivery of the byproduct to the customer of the Company’s choice, once price and terms are agreed to. The Company does not have any contract assets or liabilities as of September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively. Performance obligations are typically satisfied upon confirmed delivery of replacement appliance(s) revenue, pickup of the aged appliance for program services revenue and delivery to a customer of choice for byproduct revenue. Revenue recorded in the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended September 29, 2018 related to performance obligations satisfied in the same 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended September 30, 2017. The Company does not capitalize costs under ASC 340-40, or use any other method to amortize costs capitalized. There was no balance of capitalized costs at either September 29, 2018 or December 30, 2017, respectively. The Company has not incurred any impairment losses in the quarter ended September 29, 2018 related to costs capitalized in accordance with ASC 340-40. Shipping and Handling The Company classifies shipping and handling charged to customers as revenues and classifies costs relating to shipping and handling as cost of revenues. Advertising Expense Advertising expense is charged to operations as incurred. Advertising expense totaled $226 and $351 for the 13 weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. Advertising expense totaled $593 and $824 for the 39 weeks ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. Fair Value Measurements ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows: Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 – to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between tax bases and financial reporting bases of the Company's assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred taxes if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized. The Company recognizes penalties and interest accrued related to income tax liabilities in the provision for income taxes in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Significant management judgment is required to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in relation to an uncertain tax position. The Company uses a two-step process to evaluate tax positions. The first step requires an entity to determine whether it is more likely than not (greater than 50% chance) that the tax position will be sustained. The second step requires an entity to recognize in the financial statements the benefit of a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition criterion. The amounts ultimately paid upon resolution of issues raised by taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued and may materially impact the financial statements of the Company in future periods. Lease Accounting We lease warehouse facilities and office space. These assets and properties are generally leased under noncancelable agreements that expire at various dates through 2022 with various renewal options for additional periods. The agreements, which have been classified as operating leases, generally provide for minimum and, in some cases percentage rent and require us to pay all insurance, taxes and other maintenance costs. Leases with step rent provisions, escalation clauses or other lease concessions are accounted for on a straight-line basis over the lease term and includes “rent holidays” (periods in which we are not obligated to pay rent). Cash or lease incentives received upon entering into certain store leases (“tenant improvement allowances”) are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent expense over the lease term. We record the unamortized portion of tenant improvement allowances as a part of deferred rent. We do not have leases with capital improvement funding. Stock-Based Compensation The Company from time to time grants restricted stock awards and options to employees, non-employees and Company executives and directors. Such awards are valued based on the grant date fair-value of the instruments, net of estimated forfeitures. The value of each award is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Foreign Currency The financial statements of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters. Under ASC 830, if the assets and liabilities of the Company are recorded in certain non-U.S. functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, they are translated at current rates of exchange. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average monthly exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly into accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Earnings Per Share Earnings per share is calculated in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per share”. Under ASC 260 basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period except that it does not include unvested restricted stock subject to cancellation. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants, options, restricted shares and convertible preferred stock. The dilutive effect of outstanding restricted shares, options and warrants is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Convertible preferred stock is reflected on an if-converted basis. Segment Reporting ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a Company’s management organizes segments within the Company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. The Company determined it has two reportable segments (See Note 24). Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains cash balances at several banks in several states including, Minnesota, California, and Nevada within the United States. Accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000 per institution as of September 29, 2018. At times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The standard requires a lessee to recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing a right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

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