| Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Aug. 31, 2016 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. These estimates include allowance for doubtful trade accounts receivable, slow moving and obsolete inventory reserves, recoverability of the carrying value and estimated useful lives of long-lived assets, and the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
| Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements for all periods presented include the accounts of EACO, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bisco Industries, Inc., and Bisco’s wholly-owned Canadian |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. |
| Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Trade Accounts Receivable Trade accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount, less an estimate for an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by identifying probable credit losses in the Company’s accounts receivable and reviewing historical data to estimate the collectability on items not yet specifically identified as problem accounts. Trade accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of trade accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received. A trade account receivable is considered past due if any portion of the receivable balance is outstanding for more than 30 days. The Company does not charge interest on past due balances. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $ 111,000 2015 |
| Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Inventories Inventories consist primarily of electronic fasteners and components, and are stated at the lower of cost or estimated market value. Cost is determined using the average cost method. Inventories are presented net of a reserve for slow moving or obsolete items of $ 1,307,000 1,105,000 |
| Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Equipment and Leasehold Improvements Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost net of accumulated amortization. Depreciation on equipment is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from five to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining lease term, whichever is less. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Renewals and improvements of a major nature are capitalized. At the time of retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the cost and accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses are reflected in earnings. |
| Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Impairment of Long Lived Assets The Company’s policy is to review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For the purpose of the impairment review, assets are tested on an individual basis. The recoverability of the assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying value of each asset to the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by such assets. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds their estimated fair value. |
| Marketable Securities, Trading Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Trading Securities The Company invests in marketable trading securities, which include long and short positions in equity securities. Short positions represent securities sold, but not yet purchased. Short sales result in obligations to purchase securities at a later date and are separately presented as a liability in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. As of August 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s total obligation for securities sold, but not yet purchased was $ 1,425,000 1,781,000 1,425,000 1,781,000 These securities are stated at fair value, which is determined using the quoted closing prices at each reporting date. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are recognized as incurred in the consolidated statements of operations. Net unrealized gains and losses are reported in the statements of operations and represent the change in the market value of investment holdings during the period. See Note 11. |
| Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Revenue Recognition Management generally recognizes revenue at the time of product shipment, as the Company’s shipping terms are FOB shipping point. Revenue is considered to be realized or realizable and earned when there is persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement in the form of an executed contract or purchase order, the product has been shipped, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. |
| Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Income Taxes Deferred taxes on income result from temporary differences between the reporting of income for financial statement and tax reporting purposes. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income (if any), tax planning strategies and recent financial performance. We provide tax contingencies, if any, for federal, state, local and international exposures relating to audit results, tax planning initiatives and compliance responsibilities. The development of these reserves requires judgments about tax issues, potential outcomes and timing. Although the outcome of these tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities emanating from these reviews. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our results of operations. |
| Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Freight and Shipping/Handling Shipping and handling expenses are included in cost of goods sold, and were approximately $ 2,653,000 2,557,000 |
| Liabilities of Discontinued Operations [Policy Text Block] | Liabilities of Discontinued Operations Prior to June 2005, EACO self-insured workers’ compensation claims losses up to certain limits. The liability for workers’ compensation represents an estimate of the present value of the ultimate cost of uninsured losses which are unpaid as of the balance sheet dates. At each fiscal year end, the Company obtains an actuarial report which estimates its overall exposure based on historical claims and an evaluation of future claims, and adjustments to the Company’s estimated claim liability, if any, are reflected in operations. The Company pursues recovery of certain claims from an insurance carrier. Recoveries, if any, are recognized when realization is reasonably assured. The outstanding liability for worker’s compensation at year end is not significant and is recorded in accrued liabilities at August 31, 2016 and 2015. |
| Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Operating Leases Certain Company leases for its sales offices and distribution centers provide for minimum annual payments that adjust over the life of the lease. The aggregate minimum annual payments are expensed on the straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. The Company recognizes a deferred rent liability for rent escalations when the amount of straight-line rent exceeds the lease payments, and reduces the deferred rent liability when the lease payments exceed the straight-line rent expense. |
| Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Earnings Per Common Share Basic earnings per common share for the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 were computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share for those periods have been computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the respective periods. Potentially dilutive common shares represent 40,000 36,000 2015 |
| Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] | Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions Assets and liabilities recorded in functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar (Canadian dollars for the Bisco’s Canadian subsidiary) are translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end rate of exchange. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015. The resulting translation adjustments are charged or credited directly to accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The average exchange rates for the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015 were $ 0.76 0.83 |
| Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Concentrations Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk include cash balances in excess of federal depository insurance limits and accounts receivable. Cash accounts maintained by the Company at U.S. and Canadian financial institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation, respectively. A significant portion of the Company’s cash was held by its Canadian subsidiary. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Net sales to customers outside the United States and related trade accounts receivable were approximately 9 14 9 11 10 Total assets held outside the United States comprised 5 |
| Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Certain Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities The Company’s financial instruments other than its marketable securities include cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, security deposits, trade accounts payable, line of credit, accrued expenses and long-term debt. Management believes that the fair value of these financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts based on current market indicators, such as prevailing interest rates. The Company’s marketable securities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (see Note 11). During the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company did not have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities that were measured at estimated fair value on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. |
| New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] | Significant Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” to supersede previous revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP. The guidance presents steps for comprehensive revenue recognition that requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating this statement and its impact on its results of operations or financial position. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”. The guidance is part of the “Simplification Initiative” to identify and re-evaluate areas where the generally accepted accounting principles may be complex and cumbersome to apply. The guidance will require that inventory be stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value as opposed to the lower of cost or market. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price for the inventory less completion, disposal and transportation costs. The guidance becomes effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating this statement and its impact on its results of operations or financial position. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”. The guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The guidance becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 6, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this statement and its impact on its results of operations or financial position. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, which will require a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities with lease terms of more than 12 months. Both capital and operating leases will need to be recognized on the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating this statement and its impact on its results of operations or financial position. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments Credit Losses”, which will require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating this statement and its impact on its results of operations or financial position. |
