Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Segment Information (Details) [Abstract]
Number of retail installment sales stores	39			39
ColorTyme's royalty fee percentage, minimum				2.00%
ColoTyme's royalty fee percentage, maximum				4.00%
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue				$ 2,882,184	$ 2,731,632	$ 2,751,956
Gross profit				2,052,516	1,995,672	1,987,998
Operating profit				293,157	303,769	296,324
Depreciation				65,214	63,410	65,788
Amortization				4,675	3,254	2,843
Capital expenditures				132,710	93,007	68,841
Rental merchandise on rent, net	766,425			766,425	655,248	589,066
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	186,768			186,768	181,606	160,932
Assets	2,801,378			2,801,378	2,688,331	2,443,997
Location count	4,040			4,040	3,601	3,299
Restructuring charge	1,400	7,600	4,900	13,943
Core U.S. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue				2,631,416	2,667,943	2,709,786
Gross profit				1,918,781	1,970,280	1,974,930
Operating profit				317,473	311,501	299,053
Depreciation				60,558	61,879	65,105
Amortization				1,092	3,254	2,843
Capital expenditures				108,553	90,866	65,757
Rental merchandise on rent, net	619,189			619,189	606,121	585,233
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	177,625			177,625	177,621	159,286
Assets	2,536,115			2,536,115	2,554,980	2,428,944
Location count	2,994			2,994	2,985	2,989
RAC Acceptance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue				193,295	18,203	3,213
Gross profit				114,228	12,074	2,615
Operating profit				(13,985)	(5,372)	(1,902)
Depreciation				2,229	395	66
Amortization				3,583
Capital expenditures				5,881	1,450	239
Rental merchandise on rent, net	139,340			139,340	44,293	1,399
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	1,274			1,274	2,809	125
Assets	217,157			217,157	114,382	1,984
Location count	750			750	384	82
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue				18,490	10,054	6,117
Gross profit				13,011	7,128	4,433
Operating profit				(13,551)	(5,226)	(3,365)
Depreciation				2,295	989	512
Capital expenditures				18,276	691	2,845
Rental merchandise on rent, net	7,896			7,896	4,834	2,434
Rental merchandise held for rent, net	7,869			7,869	1,176	1,521
Assets	44,535			44,535	15,179	10,209
Location count	80			80	23	18
ColorTyme [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue				38,983	35,432	32,840
Gross profit				6,496	6,190	6,020
Operating profit				3,220	2,866	2,538
Depreciation				132	147	105
Assets	3,571			3,571	3,790	2,860
Location count	216			216	209	210
Financial Services Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue					56,200	51,500
Gross profit					56,200	51,500
Operating profit					(12,800)	5,200
Prepaid Telecommunications And Energy Business [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue						50,500
Gross profit						17,300
Operating profit						500
Rental Store Acquisition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring charge			$ 4,900