SALES OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE (Activity of the Deferred Purchase Price Receivables) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Securitization or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement, Financial Asset for which Transfer is Accounted as Sale [Line Items]
Ending balance	$ 1,028,425	$ 989,694
Deferred purchase price receivables
Securitization or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement, Financial Asset for which Transfer is Accounted as Sale [Line Items]
Beginning balance	453,252	515,481	604,003
Transfers of accounts receivable	4,243,471	4,423,952	5,558,246
Collections	(4,239,242)	(4,486,181)	(5,646,768)
Program termInation	(72,312)
Ending balance	385,169	453,252	515,481
Deferred purchase price receivables | U.S.
Securitization or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement, Financial Asset for which Transfer is Accounted as Sale [Line Items]
Beginning balance	358,822	396,919	510,136
Transfers of accounts receivable	3,347,103	3,570,922	4,388,366
Collections	(3,376,128)	(3,609,019)	(4,501,583)
Program termInation	0
Ending balance	329,797	358,822	396,919
Deferred purchase price receivables | Australia
Securitization or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement, Financial Asset for which Transfer is Accounted as Sale [Line Items]
Beginning balance	64,996	70,073	80,821
Transfers of accounts receivable	487,583	408,530	509,691
Collections	(446,196)	(413,607)	(520,439)
Program termInation	(72,312)
Ending balance	34,071	64,996	70,073
Deferred purchase price receivables | Europe
Securitization or Asset-backed Financing Arrangement, Financial Asset for which Transfer is Accounted as Sale [Line Items]
Beginning balance	29,434	48,489	13,046
Transfers of accounts receivable	408,785	444,500	660,189
Collections	(416,918)	(463,555)	(624,746)
Program termInation	0
Ending balance	$ 21,301	$ 29,434	$ 48,489