Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation	*Consolidation:* The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We account for our investments in Albemarle & Bond Holdings, PLC and Cash Converters International Limited using the equity method.
Revenue Recognition	*Pawn Loan and Sales Revenue Recognition:* We record pawn service charges using the interest method for all pawn loans we believe to be collectible. We base our estimate of collectible loans on several factors, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following two months. Unexpected variations in any of these factors could change our estimate of collectible loans, affecting our earnings and financial condition. If a pawn loan is not repaid, we value the forfeited collateral (inventory) at the lower of cost (pawn loan principal) or market value of the property. We record sales revenue and the related cost when this inventory is sold, or when we receive the final payment on a layaway sale. Sales tax collected upon the sale of inventory is excluded from the amount recognized as sales and instead recorded as a liability in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.
Allowance for losses	*Signature Loan Credit Service Fee Revenue Recognition:* We earn credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining signature loans from unaffiliated lenders. We initially defer recognition of the fees we expect to collect, net of direct expenses, and recognize that deferred net amount over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of credit service fees we expect not to collect. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce credit service fee revenue upon loan default, and increase credit service fee revenue upon collection. Signature loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Signature loan fees” on our statements of operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations	*Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations:* Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit or highly liquid investments or mutual funds with original contractual maturities of three months or less. We hold cash at major financial institutions that often exceed FDIC insured limits. We manage our credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and cash concentrations by investing in high quality instruments or funds, concentrating our cash deposits in high quality financial institutions and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institutions issuing investments or holding such deposits. Historically, we have not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations.
Inventory	*Inventory:* If a pawn loan is not redeemed, we record the forfeited collateral at cost (the principal amount of the pawn loan). We do not record loan loss allowances or charge-offs on the principal portion of pawn loans, as they are fully collateralized. In order to state inventory at the lower of cost (specific identification) or market value, we record an allowance for excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise. At June 30, 2011, the inventory valuation allowance was $8.0 million or 9.2% of gross inventory. We record changes in the inventory valuation allowance as cost of goods sold.
Intangible Assets	*Intangible Assets:* Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. They are tested for impairment each July 1^st, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired, based on cash flows and other market valuation methods. We recognized no impairment of our intangible assets in the current or prior year periods. We amortize intangible assets with definite lives over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Property and Equipment	*Property and Equipment:* We record property and equipment at cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 30 years for buildings and 2 to 7 years for furniture, equipment, and software development costs. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful life (typically 10 years) or the reasonably assured lease term at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation of $125.7 million at June 30, 2011.
Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets	*Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets:* We assess the impairment of tangible long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net recorded amount may not be recoverable. The following factors could trigger an impairment review: significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant negative industry trends or legislative changes prohibiting us from offering our loan products. When we determine that the net recorded amount of tangible long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we measure impairment based on the excess of the assets’ net recorded amount over the estimated fair value. No impairment of tangible long-lived assets was recognized in the current or prior year periods.
Fair value of financial instruments	*Fair Value of Financial Instruments:* We have elected not to measure at fair value any eligible items for which fair value measurement is optional. We determine the fair value of financial instruments by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments approximate their recorded values, due primarily to their short-term nature. The recorded value of our outstanding debt is assumed to estimate its fair value, as it has no prepayment penalty and a floating interest rate based on market rates.
Foreign Currency Translation	*Foreign Currency Translation:* Our equity investments in Albemarle & Bond and Cash Converters are translated from British pounds and Australian dollars, respectively, into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates as of the investees’ balance sheet date. The related interest in the investees’ net income is translated at the average exchange rates for each six-month period reported by the investees. The functional currency of our wholly-owned Empeño Fácil pawn segment is the Mexican peso and the functional currency of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiary CASHMAX is the Canadian dollar. Empeño Fácil’s and CASHMAX’s balance sheet accounts are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and their earnings are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate each quarter. We present resulting translation adjustments from Albemarle & Bond, Cash Converters, Empeño Fácil and CASHMAX as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have not been significant, and are reported as “Other” expense in our statements of operations.
Income Taxes	*Income Taxes:* We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the related temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized when the rate change is enacted.
Stock Compensation	*Stock Compensation:* We account for stock compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718-10-25 (Compensation — Stock Compensation). The fair value of restricted shares is measured as the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant, which is amortized over the vesting period for each grant. We have not granted any stock options since fiscal 2007. When granted, our policy is to estimate the grant-date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the options’ vesting periods.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	*Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:* In June 2009, FASB amended ASC 810-10-65 (Consolidation). Amended ASC 810-10-65 relates to the consolidation of variable interest entities. It eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and requires ongoing qualitative reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This guidance also requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities. We adopted this amended standard October 1, 2010, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In July 2010, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This update amends FASB ASC 310 (Receivables) to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entity is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. We adopted this amended standard on October 1, 2010, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The additional required disclosures are included in Note M. In June 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” This update amends FASB ASC 220 (Comprehensive Income) and eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. We must adopt this amended standard in our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012. Adoption of ASU 2011-05 will have no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows other than the presentation of our results of operations.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EZCORP, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We account for our investments in Albemarle & Bond Holdings, PLC and Cash Converters International Limited using the equity method.

Revenue Recognition

Pawn Loan and Sales Revenue Recognition: We record pawn service charges using the interest method for all pawn loans we believe to be collectible. We base our estimate of collectible loans on several factors, including recent redemption rates, historical trends in redemption rates and the amount of loans due in the following two months. Unexpected variations in any of these factors could change our estimate of collectible loans, affecting our earnings and financial condition. If a pawn loan is not repaid, we value the forfeited collateral (inventory) at the lower of cost (pawn loan principal) or market value of the property. We record sales revenue and the related cost when this inventory is sold, or when we receive the final payment on a layaway sale. Sales tax collected upon the sale of inventory is excluded from the amount recognized as sales and instead recorded as a liability in “Accounts payable and other accrued expenses” on our balance sheets until remitted to the appropriate governmental authorities.

Allowance for losses

Signature Loan Credit Service Fee Revenue Recognition: We earn credit service fees when we assist customers in obtaining signature loans from unaffiliated lenders. We initially defer recognition of the fees we expect to collect, net of direct expenses, and recognize that deferred net amount over the life of the related loans. We reserve the percentage of credit service fees we expect not to collect. Accrued fees related to defaulted loans reduce credit service fee revenue upon loan default, and increase credit service fee revenue upon collection. Signature loan credit service fee revenue is included in “Signature loan fees” on our statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Cash Concentrations: Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on deposit or highly liquid investments or mutual funds with original contractual maturities of three months or less. We hold cash at major financial institutions that often exceed FDIC insured limits. We manage our credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and cash concentrations by investing in high quality instruments or funds, concentrating our cash deposits in high quality financial institutions and by periodically evaluating the credit quality of the primary financial institutions issuing investments or holding such deposits. Historically, we have not experienced any losses due to such cash concentrations.

Inventory

Inventory: If a pawn loan is not redeemed, we record the forfeited collateral at cost (the principal amount of the pawn loan). We do not record loan loss allowances or charge-offs on the principal portion of pawn loans, as they are fully collateralized. In order to state inventory at the lower of cost (specific identification) or market value, we record an allowance for excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventory based on the type and age of merchandise. At June 30, 2011, the inventory valuation allowance was $8.0 million or 9.2% of gross inventory. We record changes in the inventory valuation allowance as cost of goods sold.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. They are tested for impairment each July 1^st, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired, based on cash flows and other market valuation methods. We recognized no impairment of our intangible assets in the current or prior year periods. We amortize intangible assets with definite lives over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment: We record property and equipment at cost. We depreciate these assets on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 30 years for buildings and 2 to 7 years for furniture, equipment, and software development costs. We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of their estimated useful life (typically 10 years) or the reasonably assured lease term at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation of $125.7 million at June 30, 2011.

Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets

Valuation of Tangible Long-Lived Assets: We assess the impairment of tangible long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the net recorded amount may not be recoverable. The following factors could trigger an impairment review: significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future cash flows, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, significant negative industry trends or legislative changes prohibiting us from offering our loan products. When we determine that the net recorded amount of tangible long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we measure impairment based on the excess of the assets’ net recorded amount over the estimated fair value. No impairment of tangible long-lived assets was recognized in the current or prior year periods.

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: We have elected not to measure at fair value any eligible items for which fair value measurement is optional. We determine the fair value of financial instruments by reference to various market data and other valuation techniques, as appropriate. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair values of financial instruments approximate their recorded values, due primarily to their short-term nature. The recorded value of our outstanding debt is assumed to estimate its fair value, as it has no prepayment penalty and a floating interest rate based on market rates.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation: Our equity investments in Albemarle & Bond and Cash Converters are translated from British pounds and Australian dollars, respectively, into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates as of the investees’ balance sheet date. The related interest in the investees’ net income is translated at the average exchange rates for each six-month period reported by the investees. The functional currency of our wholly-owned Empeño Fácil pawn segment is the Mexican peso and the functional currency of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiary CASHMAX is the Canadian dollar. Empeño Fácil’s and CASHMAX’s balance sheet accounts are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate at the end of each quarter, and their earnings are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate each quarter. We present resulting translation adjustments from Albemarle & Bond, Cash Converters, Empeño Fácil and CASHMAX as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses have not been significant, and are reported as “Other” expense in our statements of operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the related temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized when the rate change is enacted.

Stock Compensation

Stock Compensation: We account for stock compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718-10-25 (Compensation — Stock Compensation). The fair value of restricted shares is measured as the closing market price of our stock on the date of grant, which is amortized over the vesting period for each grant. We have not granted any stock options since fiscal 2007. When granted, our policy is to estimate the grant-date fair value of options using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and amortize that fair value to compensation expense on a ratable basis over the options’ vesting periods.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements: In June 2009, FASB amended ASC 810-10-65 (Consolidation). Amended ASC 810-10-65 relates to the consolidation of variable interest entities. It eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity and requires ongoing qualitative reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. This guidance also requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement in variable interest entities. We adopted this amended standard October 1, 2010, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In July 2010, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-20, “Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This update amends FASB ASC 310 (Receivables) to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entity is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. We adopted this amended standard on October 1, 2010, resulting in no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The additional required disclosures are included in Note M.

In June 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” This update amends FASB ASC 220 (Comprehensive Income) and eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. We must adopt this amended standard in our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012. Adoption of ASU 2011-05 will have no effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows other than the presentation of our results of operations.