Deal with the original creditor or collection agency??

[Anonymous]

Have two collections I'm going to address real quick, progressive for $117 and local eye Dr. For $85 that are showing on my report. Do I have to/would I be better off dealing with the collection agencies or could I still go straight to the respective companies and cut the middle man out? (Or is that not even an option once it goes to collections?) I also have a third one for $1413 with the local college that I need to do the same thing with after I resolve the first two. Would I be better off saving some cash to go to them with or just contact them and try to setup payment arangments? I'm guessing I could probably have close to a grand in 1-3 months if I really clamped down and focused on it.

[BmoreBull]

I don't know if you have pulled your credit report or not, but it's a good idea to do so. That way you can see who the CA is and if the original debt is showing a zero balance with the original creditor. If it is showing a zero balance then they sold it to the CA and you will have to deal with them directly. If it still shows a balance reporting then you should be able to contact the original creditor. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[gdale6]

I would try to get the OC to recall the collectors in exchange for full payment of the accounts

[Anonymous]

@gdale6 If any of the collections companies have PFD, would it be good to try and settle for a lower amount? 

[gdale6]

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@Anonymous wrote:

@gdale6 If any of the collections companies have PFD, would it be good to try and settle for a lower amount? 

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The older the debt the easier it is to get one with a reduced payoff amount. If its still within SOL it will require more.