Segments Segments - Revenue by source and segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,101,274	$ 1,012,103
Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	658,534	523,401
Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	432,832	480,056
Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,908	8,646
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,047,913	944,157
Lease Revenues and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	658,534	523,401
Lease Revenues and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	389,379	420,756
Lease Revenues and Fees | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,531	12,809
Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,531	12,809
Retail Sales | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	26,846	36,981
Non-Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Non-Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	26,846	36,981
Non-Retail Sales | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,724	9,207
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,724	9,207
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,908	8,646
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,908	8,646
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	352	303
Other | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Other | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	352	303
Other | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 6,700	$ 6,500