| 4. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RESERVES |
A summary of activity in our accounts receivable reserves for doubtful accounts and sales returns is presented below (in thousands):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||
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Balance, beginning of year |
$ | 38,315 | $ | 53,076 | $ | 48,306 | ||||||
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Provision for doubtful accounts and sales returns |
22,226 | 31,673 | 33,077 | |||||||||
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Write-offs, net of recoveries |
(31,347 | ) | (46,434 | ) | (28,307 | ) | ||||||
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Balance, end of year |
$ | 29,194 | $ | 38,315 | $ | 53,076 | ||||||
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