Revenues Revenues (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
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									$ 2,244,860	$ 2,267,741	$ 2,500,053
Merchandise sales									304,455	331,402	351,198
Installment sales									69,572	71,651	74,509
Other									9,000	9,620	12,706
Total store revenues									2,627,887	2,680,414	2,938,466
Franchise merchandise sales									19,087	13,157	16,358
Royalty income and fees									13,491	8,969	8,428
Total revenues	$ 661,750	$ 644,942	$ 655,730	$ 698,043	$ 638,954	$ 643,965	$ 677,635	$ 741,986	2,660,465	2,702,540	2,963,252
Deferred revenue	53,348				51,742				53,348	51,742
Rental purchase agreements [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	42,100				41,100				42,100	41,100
Other product plans [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	3,000				3,000				3,000	3,000
Franchise fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 4,100				$ 1,700				4,100	1,700
Core Us [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									1,640,839
Merchandise sales									136,878
Installment sales									69,572
Other									8,423
Total store revenues									1,855,712
Franchise merchandise sales									0
Royalty income and fees									0
Total revenues									1,855,712	1,835,422	2,069,725
Acceptance Now [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									557,592
Merchandise sales									164,432
Installment sales									0
Other									538
Total store revenues									722,562
Franchise merchandise sales									0
Royalty income and fees									0
Total revenues									722,562	797,987	817,814
Mexico [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									46,429
Merchandise sales									3,145
Installment sales									0
Other									39
Total store revenues									49,613
Franchise merchandise sales									0
Royalty income and fees									0
Total revenues									49,613	47,005	50,927
Franchising [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Rentals and fees									0
Merchandise sales									0
Installment sales									0
Other									0
Total store revenues									0
Franchise merchandise sales									19,087
Royalty income and fees									13,491
Total revenues									$ 32,578	$ 22,126	$ 24,786