@methorian wrote:
I hate to butt in on your thread, and hopefully you're still around, but I'd LOVE to have some info on how you handled Midland. I've just tackled RJM and Midland is next. I actually just received a notice that they have acquired my Asset Acceptance account too, so I'm in for a haul with my two accounts with them...
No problem, methor -- butt away. Serves as a free "bump" lol.
(btw, the Midland settlement just hit my reports this morning with the $0.00 balance -- yayy!!! Added bonus of all little green "OK"s for 2013, too! (of course it still shows as Collection account, settled for less than full balance, etc.). Interestingly, while my Experian and TransUnion scores went UP, my Equifax score went DOWN (re-bucketing maybe??) I've got one more to fall of off Equifax so we'll see what happens when that one updates.
Methorian, I wish I had some clever trick or something I used with Midland, but basically NOTHING that I tried with them worked. Tried communicating with them via fax (since they're so slimy, and b/c I don't trust them and would want anythign we agreed to to be in writing anyway), and they ignored every fax I ever sent them. They also turned down every lowball (10-15 cents on the dollar, since i was outside of the SOL and they couldn't legally go after me anymore) offer I made them, even by phone. Tried doing it on the last day of the month, tried saying "I can afford to pay off ONE old collection, so I'm looking for the best offer I can get," etc. Nothing worked. Since I am trying to refinance my mortgage and I need this one settled, I finally just gave them their offer of about 67 cents on the dollar and washed my hands of it.
I think even though they likely buy some of this junk debt at 3-8 cents on the dollar, they just sit on it -- offering nothing more than payment plans or 40% off if you pay lump-sun -- because they know that eventually guys like you and me are going to need to settle for whatever reason, so they're willing to wait maybe?
At least that's my theory.
Pigeye
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2007 - 2010 low point: mid-500s
With the help of myFICO community, now: 714 EQ FICO
"At the end of every hard-earned day, people find some reason to believe." (Bruce Springsteen)
The GW letters to try and get some old late payments off from when I had my heart problems and changed my lifestyle to improve my health (quit a dead-end, stressful job & worked on finishing school) have fallen on mostly deaf ears so I think I'm now in the age and improve stage. 
Starting Score: 507
