Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

12 Months Ended

Aug. 28, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Repurchase Commitments

Generally, manufacturers in the same industries as us enter into repurchase agreements with lending institutions which have provided wholesale floorplan financing to dealers. Most dealers are financed on a "floorplan" basis under which a bank or finance company lends the dealer all, or substantially all, of the purchase price, collateralized by a security interest in the units purchased.

Our repurchase agreements generally provide that, in the event of default by the dealer on the agreement to pay the lending institution, we will repurchase the financed merchandise. The terms of these agreements, which generally can last up to 24 months, provide that our liability will be the lesser of remaining principal owed by the dealer to the lending institution, or dealer invoice less periodic reductions based on the time since the date of the original invoice. Our liability cannot exceed 100% of the dealer invoice. In certain instances, we also repurchase inventory from dealers due to state law or regulatory requirements that govern voluntary or involuntary relationship terminations. Although laws vary from state to state, some states have laws in place that require manufacturers of recreational vehicles or boats to repurchase current inventory if a dealership exits the business. The total contingent liability on all repurchase agreements was approximately $552,112 and $798,906 as of August 28, 2021 and August 29, 2020, respectively.

Repurchased sales are not recorded as a revenue transaction, rather the net difference between the original repurchase price and the resale price is recorded against the loss reserve, which is a deduction from gross revenue. Our loss reserve for repurchase commitments contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and apply judgment regarding a number of factors. Our risk of loss related to these repurchase commitments is significantly reduced by the potential resale value of any products that are subject to repurchase and is spread over numerous dealers and lenders. The aggregate contingent liability related to our repurchase agreements represents all financed dealer inventory at the period-end reporting date subject to a repurchase agreement, net of the greater of periodic reductions per the agreement or dealer principal payments. Based on these repurchase agreements and our historical loss experience, an associated loss reserve is established which is included in accrued expenses: other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our repurchase accrual was $923 and $980 as of August 28, 2021 and August 29, 2020, respectively. Repurchase risk is affected by the credit worthiness of our dealer network. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used to establish the loss reserve for repurchase commitments.

A summary of the activity for repurchased units is as follows:


(in thousands, except for units)	2021		2020		2019
Inventory repurchased:
Units	10		107		125
Dollars	$	349	$	2,592	$	5,535
Inventory resold:
Units	10		118		109
Cash collected	$	321	$	2,540	$	4,634
Loss recognized	$	29	$	252	$	556
Units in ending inventory	5		5		16

Litigation

We are involved in various legal proceedings which are considered ordinary and routine litigation incidental to the business, some of which are covered in whole or in part by insurance. While we believe the ultimate disposition of litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity, the possibility exists that such litigation may have an impact on our results for a particular reporting period in which litigation effects become probable and reasonably estimable. Though we do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change related to these matters, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and our view of these matters may change in the future.