Pfd is usually given if PIF. Tbh, while you're bargaining, your option is to call them and ask for deletion if paid in full. If they won't do that, I would request to settle for less or not pay at all. Because the baddie will count against you no matter what you do as long as it's on your credit report. At least if you settle for less you save cash and stop the bleeding of the acct freshly reporting every month. In either case, you have to have the cash. A 50% offer to settle in full is an attractive offer to creditor. Some will even settle for less. On your credit report it will appear as "settlement for less" wig a $0 balance, in which case the baddie will remain but you've saved some cash and now this won't count against DTI. But try for delete first.
