Segments Segments - Revenue by source and segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 963,808	$ 953,071	$ 2,944,052	$ 2,835,739
Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	528,850	504,407	1,568,584	1,474,590
Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	426,271	439,156	1,349,525	1,332,891
DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,687	9,508	25,943	28,258
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	906,776	880,871	2,758,498	2,596,876
Lease Revenues and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	528,850	504,407	1,568,584	1,474,590
Lease Revenues and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	377,926	376,464	1,189,914	1,122,286
Lease Revenues and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,854	7,620	30,561	22,728
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	8,854	7,620	30,561	22,728
Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	31,085	44,368	102,190	151,259
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	31,085	44,368	102,190	151,259
Non-Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,087	10,153	25,899	35,140
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	8,087	10,153	25,899	35,140
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	8,687	9,508	25,943	28,258
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	8,687	9,508	25,943	28,258
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	319	551	961	1,478
Other | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	319	551	961	1,478
Other | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,000	5,600	20,400	13,000
Transferred over Time | Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 6,300	$ 7,400	$ 19,600	$ 26,600