Segments Segments - Revenue by source and segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,030,119	$ 968,141	$ 2,131,393	$ 1,980,244
Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	589,749	516,333	1,248,283	1,039,734
Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	430,956	443,198	863,788	923,254
Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,414	8,610	19,322	17,256
Lease Revenues and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	969,987	907,565	2,017,900	1,851,722
Lease Revenues and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	589,749	516,333	1,248,283	1,039,734
Lease Revenues and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	380,238	391,232	769,617	811,988
Lease Revenues and Fees | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,020	8,898	23,551	21,707
Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	14,020	8,898	23,551	21,707
Retail Sales | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	33,044	34,124	59,890	71,105
Non-Retail Sales | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Non-Retail Sales | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	33,044	34,124	59,890	71,105
Non-Retail Sales | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,365	8,605	10,089	17,812
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	3,365	8,605	10,089	17,812
Franchise Royalties and Fees | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,414	8,610	19,322	17,256
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Interest and Fees on Loans Receivable | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	9,414	8,610	19,322	17,256
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	289	339	641	642
Other | Progressive Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other | Aaron's Business
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	289	339	641	642
Other | Vive
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Leases
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 6,800	$ 6,900	$ 13,500	$ 13,400