Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 10,166	$ 10,742
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Current	17,422	19,108
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Noncurrent	$ 7,479	$ 9,002
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)	$ 50	$ 50
Preferred stock dividend rate, per-dollar dividend	4.00%	4.00%
Preference stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0pbi_PreferenceStockNoParValue	$ 0pbi_PreferenceStockNoParValue
Preference stock dividend rate (in dollars per share)	$ 2.12	$ 2.12
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	480,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized	480,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized
Common stock, shares issued	323,337,912us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued	323,337,912us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued
Treasury stock, shares	121,671,755us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares	122,309,948us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares

The amount per share used to calculated dividend payments on preference stock.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Issuance value per share of no-par value, nonredeemable preference stock (or preference stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer); generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

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-Topic 310

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A valuation allowance relating to a written agreement to receive money (at a specified future date(s) within one year from the reporting date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), consisting of principal as well as any accrued interest) for the portion that is expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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A valuation allowance relating to a written agreement to receive money (at a specified future date(s) more than one year from the reporting date, consisting of principal as well as any accrued interest) for the portion that is expected to be uncollectible.

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- Definition

Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.

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The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.

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- Definition

Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.

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The percentage rate used to calculate dividend payments on preferred stock.

+ References

No definition available.

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Face amount or stated value per share of preferred stock nonredeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer.

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- Definition

Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends.

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