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Note 7 - Product Warranty
9 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2011
Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]
(7)
Product Warranty

The Company offers warranties of various lengths to its customers depending on the specific product and terms of the customer purchase agreement.  The average length of the warranty period is one year from the date of purchase.  The Company’s warranties require it to repair or replace defective products during the warranty period at no cost to the customer.  The Company records a liability for estimated costs that may be incurred under its warranties.  The costs are estimated based on historical experience and any specific warranty issues that have been identified.  Although historical warranty costs have been within expectations, there can be no assurance that future warranty costs will not exceed historical amounts.  The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the balance as necessary.  The accrued warranty balance is included in accrued expenses as shown in note 6.

Changes in the Company’s product warranty liability for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

   
For the three months ended
 
   
August 31,
2011
   
August 31,
2010
 
             
Balance, beginning
  $ 199,395     $ 148,412  
Settlements made in cash or in-kind
    (123,457 )     (51,842 )
Warranties issued
    174,844       218,180  
Balance, ending
  $ 250,783     $ 314,750  
                 
                 
   
For the nine months ended
 
   
August 31,
2011
   
August 31,
2010
 
                 
Balance, beginning
  $ 180,549     $ 96,370  
Settlements made in cash or in-kind
    (315,621 )     (237,516 )
Warranties issued
    385,856       455,896  
Balance, ending
  $ 250,784     $ 314,750