Segments Segments - Revenue by source and segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 968,141	$ 927,859	$ 1,980,244	$ 1,882,668
Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	516,333	483,666	1,039,734	970,183
Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	443,198	434,985	923,254	893,735
DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,610	9,208	17,256	18,750
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	907,565	845,938	1,851,722	1,716,005
Lease Revenues and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	516,333	483,666	1,039,734	970,183
Lease Revenues and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	391,232	362,272	811,988	745,822
Lease Revenues and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,898	6,592	21,707	15,108
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	8,898	6,592	21,707	15,108
Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	34,124	53,661	71,105	106,891
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	34,124	53,661	71,105	106,891
Non-Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,605	12,125	17,812	24,987
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	8,605	12,125	17,812	24,987
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	8,610	9,208	17,256	18,750
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	8,610	9,208	17,256	18,750
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	339	335	642	927
Other | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	339	335	642	927
Other | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,900	4,400	13,400	8,400
Transferred over Time | Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 6,300	$ 9,100	$ 13,400	$ 19,200