Segments - Disaggregated Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 993,184	$ 953,071	$ 927,859	$ 954,809	$ 884,627	$ 838,883	$ 815,644	$ 844,554	$ 3,828,923	$ 3,383,708	$ 3,207,716
Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,998,981	1,566,413	1,237,597
Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,792,624	1,782,370	1,946,039
DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									37,318	34,925	24,080
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,506,418	3,000,231	2,780,824
Lease Revenues and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,998,981	1,566,413	1,237,597
Lease Revenues and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,507,437	1,433,818	1,543,227
Lease Revenues and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									19,800	6,300	2,800
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									31,271	27,465	29,418
Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									31,271	27,465	29,418
Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									207,262	270,253	309,446
Non-Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									207,262	270,253	309,446
Non-Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									44,815	48,278	58,350
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									44,815	48,278	58,350
Franchise Royalties and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									37,318	34,925	24,080
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									37,318	34,925	24,080
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,839	2,556	5,598
Other | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Other | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,839	2,556	5,598
Other | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									0	0	0
Canada Operations | Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									21,300	18,300	12,400
Transferred over Time | Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 33,300	$ 44,600	$ 53,700