You can try calling the OC and trying to negotiate with them, but they may or may not work with you.
First, if they have sold the debt to the debt collector, you cannot make any payment to them, and would be required to deal only with the debt collector.
Second, many credtiors, once having assigned collection to a debt collector, wont talk with you, and require that all negotiations/payments be done by way of the debt collector.
Call and ask.
Regarding the possible advantages, regardless of your view of the debt collector, of dealing with them, only the debt collector has control over their own credit reporting.
The OC cannot prevent a debt collector from reporting their collection, and once reported, cannot require a debt collector to delete their reporting.
By dealing with the debt collector, you may be able to prevent them from reporting, and if they do report, pursuade them to delete their reporting in exchange for payment.
I am unsure what you are attempting to gain by dealing directly with the OC, unless you have tried dealing with the debt collector, and cannot get a favorable result.
