Segments Segments - Revenue by source and segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,012,103	$ 954,809
Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	523,401	486,517
Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	480,056	458,750
DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,646	9,542
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	944,157	870,067
Lease Revenues and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	523,401	486,517
Lease Revenues and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	420,756	383,550
Lease Revenues and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,809	8,516
Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	12,809	8,516
Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	36,981	53,230
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	36,981	53,230
Non-Retail Sales | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,207	12,862
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	9,207	12,862
Franchise Royalties and Fees | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,646	9,542
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 | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	8,646	9,542
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	303	592
Other | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Other | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	303	592
Other | DAMI
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,900	5,000
Transferred over Time | Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,000	$ 10,200