Information on Segments and Reconciliation to Earnings Before Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 821,814		$ 585,423
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	77,830		60,710
Assets	2,404,660			2,456,844
Sales and Lease Ownership
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	536,160		548,711
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	52,575		55,619
Assets	1,234,425			1,246,325
Progressive Finance Holdings, LLC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	251,619		0
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	15,830		0
Assets	880,655			858,159
HomeSmart
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	16,972		17,404
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	537		(69)
Assets	44,821			47,585
Franchise
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,004		18,084
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	13,898		14,558
Assets	45,071			46,755
Manufacturing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	28,806		31,155
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	1,282		547
Assets	21,946	[1]		23,050	[1]
Other Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	368		1,898
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	(11,479)		(9,927)
Assets	177,742			234,970
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	850,929		617,252
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	72,643		60,728
Elimination of Intersegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(28,289)		(30,258)
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	(1,268)		(509)
Cash to Accrual and Other Adjustments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(826)		(1,571)
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$ 6,455		$ 491

[1] Includes inventory (principally raw materials and work-in-process) that has been classified within lease merchandise in the condensed consolidated balance sheets of $12.7 million and $13.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.