On rent Rental Merchandise on Rent, Net Rental merchandise on rent, net. Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities. Rental Merchandise [Abstract] Rental Merchandise. Rental merchandise, net Rental Merchandise Disclosure [Text Block] Rental Merchandise Rental merchandise. Senior Debt [Abstract] Senior Debt. Held for rent Rental Merchandise Held for Rent, Net Rental merchandise held for rent, net. Fair Value Fair Value [Abstract] Fair Value. Store Store [Abstract] Store. Rentals and fees Rentals and Fees Rentals and fees. Installment sales Installment Sales Installment sales. Franchise Franchise [Abstract] Franchise. Merchandise sales Franchise Merchandise Sales Franchise merchandise sales. Merchandise sales Merchandise Sales Merchandise sales. Royalty income and fees Franchise Royalty Income and Fees Franchise royalty income and fees. Store expenses Direct Store Expenses [Abstract] Direct store expenses. Franchise expenses Direct Franchise Expenses [Abstract] Direct franchise expenses. Cost of rentals and fees Cost of Rentals and Fees Cost of rentals and fees. Cost of merchandise sold Cost of Merchandise Sold Cost of merchandise sold. Cost of installment sales Cost of Installment Sales Cost of installment sales. Salaries and other expenses Salaries and Other Expenses Salaries and other expenses. Salaries and other expenses Franchise cost of merchandise sold Franchise Cost of Merchandise Sold Franchise cost of merchandise sold. Franchise cost of merchandise sold Rental merchandise Increase (Decrease) in Rental Merchandise Increase (decrease) in rental merchandise. Document And Company Information [Abstract] Document and Company Information [Abstract] Document And Company Information. Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations [Text Block] Significant accounting policies and nature of operations. Significant Accounting Policies and Nature Of Operations [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies and Nature Of Operations [Abstract] Significant Accounting Policies and Nature Of Operations. Intangible Assets and Acquisitions [Abstract] Intangible Assets and Acquisitions [Abstract] Intangible Assets and Acquisitions. Repurchases Of Outstanding Securities [Abstract] Repurchases Of Outstanding Securities [Abstract] Repurchases Of Outstanding Securities. Depreciation of rental merchandise Depreciation of Rental Merchandise Depreciation of rental merchandise. Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies. Stock Based Compensation [Abstract] Stock Based Compensation. Employee Benefit Plan Disclosure [Text Block] Employee benefit plan. Employee Benefit Plan Employee Benefit Plan [Abstract] Employee Benefit Plan. Income Taxes Refunded Income taxes refunded Income taxes refunded. Cash Paid During Year [Abstract] Cash paid during the year. Cash paid during the year for: Amortization and write-down of intangibles Amortization and write down of intangibles. Amortization and Write Down of Intangibles Balance, shares Balance, shares Common Stock Shares Finance Charges from Refinancing Finance charges from refinancing Finance charges from refinancing. Impairment Charge [Abstract] Impairment Charge [Abstract] Impairment Charge Disclosure [Text Block] Impairment Charge Impairment charge. Senior Notes [Abstract] Senior Notes [Abstract] Senior Notes Disclosure [Text Block] Senior Notes Senior notes. Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,673 in 2010 and $9,753 in 2009 Accounts Receivable, Net, Total Accounts Receivable, Net Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Depreciation of property assets Depreciation, Total Depreciation Amortization of financing fees Amortization of Financing Costs Amortization of intangibles Amortization Of Intangible Assets Asset Impairment Charges Impairment charge Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Consolidated Balance Sheets Basic earnings per common share Basic earnings per common share Earnings Per Share, Basic Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Interest Interest Receivables Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Accounts payable - trade Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Compensation Related Costs General Text Block Deferred Compensation Plan Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Blcok] Commitments and Contingencies Common stock - shares authorized Common stock - shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock - shares issued Balance, shares Balance, shares Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, $.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 105,990,704 and 104,910,759 shares issued in 2010 and 2009, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued Senior Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Deferred Compensation Plan [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Restructuring charge Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Diluted earnings per common share Diluted earnings per common share Earnings Per Share, Diluted Stock-based compensation expense Stock-based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Loss on sale or disposal of property assets Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment, Total Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Gain on extinguishment of debt Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt General and administrative expenses General and Administrative Expense, Total General and Administrative Expense Statements of Earnings [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Earnings Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Other intangible assets, net Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Other intangible assets, net Goodwill, net Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest Expense Proceeds From Issuance Of Senior Long Term Debt Issuance of senior notes Total Liabilities Total Liabilities Liabilities LIABILITIES Liabilities [Abstract] Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Merchandise held for installment sale Retail Related Inventory, Merchandise Net cash used in financing activities Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash flows from financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] NET EARNINGS NET EARNINGS Net earnings Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Operating profit Operating Income (Loss), Total Operating Income (Loss) Revenues Revenues Revenues Revenues Abstract Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Period Increase Decrease Comprehensive income Foreign currency translation adjustment Foreign currency translation adjustment Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Dividends paid Payments Of Dividends Proceeds from debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt Proceeds from sale of property assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Exercise of stock options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Property assets, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property Assets [Abstract] Bad debt expense Provision For Doubtful Accounts Purchase of property assets Purchase of property assets Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Loans Notes Trade And Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Payments on capital leases Payments on capital leases Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Repayments of debt Repayments of debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Repayments of Long-term Debt Repurchase of subordinated notes Repurchase of subordinated notes Repayments of Subordinated Debt Purchase of treasury stock Purchase of treasury stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Restructuring charge Restructuring charge Restructuring charge Restructuring Charges Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Other Other Sales Revenue, Net Senior debt Secured Debt Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Statement of Stockholders Equity Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Intangible Assets and Acquisitions Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental cash flow information Tax benefit related to stock option exercises Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Income taxes (excludes $330, $1,380 and $34,656 of income taxes refunded in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively) Income Taxes Paid Treasury Stock Common Stock Property Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Property Assets Total Assets Total Assets Assets Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Interest income Investment Income, Interest Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] Stock Based Compensation Statement [Table] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Statement [Line Items] Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Quarterly Financial Informaiton Disclosure [Text Block] Unaudited Quarterly Data Senior Notes Senior notes Unaudited Quarterly Data [Abstract] Treasury stock, 42,845,444 and 39,259,949 shares at cost in 2010 and 2009, respectively Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax Period Increase Decrease Abstract Other comprehensive income: Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Before Tax Cumulative translation adjustment Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised Tax benefit related to stock option exercises Repurchases of Outstanding Securities Schedule of Treasury Stock by Class [Text Block] Operating expenses Operating Expenses [Abstract] Total operating expenses Operating Expenses, Total Operating Expenses Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest, Total Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Common stock - par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Treasury stock, 38,787,849 shares at cost in 2009 and 2008 Treasury stock - shares at cost Purchase of treasury stock Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares Direct operating expenses Operating Costs and Expenses, Total Operating Costs and Expenses Total Stockholders' Equity Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Income Taxes [Abstract] Earnings before income taxes Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Cash dividends per common share Statement of Equity Axis Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Equity Components Litigation expense (credit) Litigation expense (credit) Litigation Settlement, Gross Exercise of stock options Exercise of stock options Exercise of stock options, shares Exercise of stock options, shares Treasury Stock Shares Acquired Purchase of treasury stock (shares) Purchase of treasury stock Purchase of treasury stock Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Tax Effect From Share Based Compensation Tax benefit related to stock option exercises Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Dividends Common Stock Cash Dividends paid Prepaid expenses and other assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Total Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Accounts payable - trade Accounts Payable, Current and Noncurrent, Total Accounts Payable, Current and Noncurrent Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current and Noncurrent, Total Accrued Liabilities, Current and Noncurrent Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Stock-based compensation Other Shareholders Equity Other Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type