Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 76,624	$ 115,552
Adjustments, Noncash Items, to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization	59,202	54,314
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs	3,845	4,665
Consumer loan loss provision	229,722	251,774
Stock-based compensation	4,825	3,899
Deferred income taxes, net	13,186	(2,963)
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	(595)
Non-cash loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt	3,090	0
Non-cash loss (gain) on divestitures	5,176	0
Other	5,954	1,267
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets acquired:
Merchandise other than forfeited	2,841	7,011
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	(1,935)	1,025
Finance and service charges on consumer loans	4,241	(3,773)
Restricted Cash	7,940	0
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(3,946)	1,920
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	6,668	10,913
Current and noncurrent income taxes	10,504	(16,025)
Other operating assets and liabilities	4,862	2,335
Net cash provided by operating activities	432,799	431,319
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Pawn loans made	(626,524)	(552,280)
Pawn loans repaid	349,896	320,055
Principal recovered through dispositions of forfeited pawn loans	243,818	209,399
Consumer loans made or purchased	(1,486,523)	(1,512,668)
Consumer loans repaid	1,260,713	1,222,379
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,204)	(104,668)
Purchases of property and equipment	(42,454)	(43,006)
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	0	6,616
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested	21,534	0
Other investing activities	(307)	1,182
Net cash used in investing activities	(281,051)	(452,991)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Net payments under bank lines of credit	(184,165)	(180,786)
Issuance of long-term debt	493,810	300,000
Debt issuance costs paid	(16,731)	(9,941)
Payments on/repurchases of notes payable	(380,450)	(21,787)
Excess income tax benefit from stock-based compensation	0	595
Treasury shares purchased	(1,410)	(45,448)
Dividends paid	(2,976)	(2,996)
Purchase Of Noncontrolling Interest	0	(4)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(91,922)	39,633
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(3,522)	1,024
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	56,304	18,985
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	67,228	61,374
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	123,532	80,359
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Pawn loans forfeited and transferred to merchandise held for disposition	265,274	237,685
Pawn loans renewed	193,750	197,781
Consumer loans renewed	250,789	487,258
Fair value of shares paid for conversion of convertible debt	$ 31,727	$ 0