Segments Segments - Revenue by source and segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 927,859	$ 815,644	$ 1,882,668	$ 1,660,198
Operating Segments | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	483,666	373,499	970,183	739,614
Operating Segments | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	434,985	433,613	893,735	903,851
Operating Segments | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,208	8,532	18,750	16,733
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	845,938	718,089	1,716,005	1,461,711
Lease Revenues and Fees | Operating Segments | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	483,666	373,499	970,183	739,614
Lease Revenues and Fees | Operating Segments | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	362,272	344,590	745,822	722,097
Lease Revenues and Fees | Operating Segments | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	4,400	600	8,400	1,500
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,125	12,824	24,987	27,025
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Operating Segments | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Operating Segments | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,125	12,824	24,987	27,025
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Operating Segments | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,592	6,106	15,108	14,884
Retail Sales | Operating Segments | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales | Operating Segments | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,592	6,106	15,108	14,884
Retail Sales | Operating Segments | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	53,661	69,602	106,891	138,929
Non-Retail Sales | Operating Segments | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales | Operating Segments | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	53,661	69,602	106,891	138,929
Non-Retail Sales | Operating Segments | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,208	8,532	18,750	16,733
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Operating Segments | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Operating Segments | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Operating Segments | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,208	8,532	18,750	16,733
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	335	491	927	916
Other | Operating Segments | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other | Operating Segments | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	335	491	927	916
Other | Operating Segments | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Transferred over Time | Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 9,100	$ 11,900	$ 19,200	$ 25,100