Intangible Assets and Acquisitions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in Recorded Goodwill (Details) [Abstract]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,344,665	$ 1,339,125
Additions from acquisitions	9,779	6,874
Store dispositions and impairment charges	(797)	(1,221)
Post purchase price allocation adjustments	294	(113)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,353,941	1,344,665
Estimated Amortization Expense (Table Details) [Abstract]
2013	461
2014	1,523
2015	722
2016	569
2017	568
Thereafter	3,562
Total	7,405	8,223
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount- amortizable intangible assets	86,527	85,458
Accumulated amortization - amortizable intangible assets	79,122	77,235
Goodwill	1,353,941	1,344,665
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	21 months
Core U.S. [Member]
Changes in Recorded Goodwill (Details) [Abstract]
Goodwill, ending balance	1,298,400	1,289,200
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,298,400	1,289,200
RAC Acceptance [Member]
Changes in Recorded Goodwill (Details) [Abstract]
Goodwill, ending balance	54,400	54,400
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	54,400	54,400
International [Member]
Changes in Recorded Goodwill (Details) [Abstract]
Goodwill, ending balance	1,100	1,100
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,100	1,100
Customer Relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average life (years) - amortizable intangible assets	2 years
Gross carrying amount- amortizable intangible assets	72,876	71,816
Accumulated amortization - amortizable intangible assets	71,459	70,001
Vendor Relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average life (years) - amortizable intangible assets	11 years
Gross carrying amount- amortizable intangible assets	7,538	7,538
Accumulated amortization - amortizable intangible assets	1,562	1,136
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Average life (years) - amortizable intangible assets	3 years
Gross carrying amount- amortizable intangible assets	6,113	6,104
Accumulated amortization - amortizable intangible assets	$ 6,101	$ 6,098