Sorry guys, but here's another question ... say lilwilliesmom has 4 collections, and say she can't get a PFD but pays off all four -- does her score go up 5-8 on each collection, which would mean her score might go up 20-32 points -- which would at least bring her up to, or closer to, the 500 mark? Too, if she does nothing, how long before these collections and the charge off have less of an impact on her score?
And to you, Lillwiliesmom, I have to ask, is the repossession also on your credit reports, and how many collections do you have? How old are they? How old is the charge off? (DOLP on all) If some of these are soon to fall off, I would leave them alone, and let them fall. If they aren't any where near dropping off, try like heck to make a deal to delete by PFD, and if that fails, I would say pay them. It looks better to future creditors, if you do, and afterward you have the possibility of a GW to get them off your reports.
Also, I'd like to say, you're in awfully good hands here! There are so many who are so well able to help you wade through all this. And ... on behalf of us all, welcome!
mercy