Segments Segments - Revenue by source and segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 953,071	$ 838,883	$ 2,835,739	$ 2,499,081
Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	504,407	398,282	1,474,590	1,137,896
Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	439,156	431,665	1,332,891	1,335,516
DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,508	8,936	28,258	25,669
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	880,871	755,318	2,596,876	2,217,029
Lease Revenues and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	504,407	398,282	1,474,590	1,137,896
Lease Revenues and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	376,464	357,036	1,122,286	1,079,133
Lease Revenues and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,620	6,274	22,728	21,158
Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,620	6,274	22,728	21,158
Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	44,368	56,443	151,259	195,372
Non-Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	44,368	56,443	151,259	195,372
Non-Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,153	11,140	35,140	38,165
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,153	11,140	35,140	38,165
Franchise Royalties and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,508	8,936	28,258	25,669
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,508	8,936	28,258	25,669
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	551	772	1,478	1,688
Other | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	551	772	1,478	1,688
Other | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	5,600	2,000	13,000	2,700
Transferred over Time | Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,400	$ 10,200	$ 26,600	$ 35,400