Need Help on how to handle.. Next Steps.. AFNI - GA Power - SPRINT

[MindKntrl]

Okay, so last week I sent AFNI a DV via email, they replied today with verification, the debt is mine and I'm going to pay it.   They offered me a settlement of $100 on $630.  Can I just pay using their settlement letter, should I sent them a PFD letter (I've read here in MANY places that AFNI doesn't do PFD's), or just send the settlement amount via CMRRR and then wait a month and send them a GW to have it removed.

According to the settlement letter, they will mark it as "Closed as Settled", which will look okay to a perspective creditor, I'm guessing, but I want it GONE..

A little advice on how to proceed at this point is needed..   This is only my 2nd post here on the forums, but I've been doing a lot of searching and reading, and I'm ready to take this step towards rebuilding..

Another question (which I didn't want to start another thread for):  Last week I also paid a collection with GA Power off IN FULL..   I went into one of their local offices and paid it, when can I send them a GW letter for removal?   If I can get those 2 marks off my report, I will then only have one with Sprint, from 2005...

Thank you guys for all your help with this!

[MindKntrl]

Anyone?   Anyone?

Beuller??    Beuller??

Thanks in advance..

[kroberts67]

On AFNI...  from what I've read they never, ever agree to PTD, but lots of people have had luck with GW letters whether they PIF or settled.  In my case I sent them a PTD letter, they said no.  I was going to either wait for a settlement from them or offer one, pay it then GW.  I lucked out, only a couple of days later I got a call from a new CA witht he same debt, verified with the OC that it was the new co and settled with them.  BAMMO, the AFNI dropped off within a day or so.  

So I would settle, then GW.  From what I've experienced and have read, they will state that they don't "trade deletions for payment";  however, they will delete once it's paid or settled, they just won't say that.

[dddewdrop]

     Hi and welcome to the forum,

     I would say what you should do depends on how much money you have. Settling a debt for less than the full amount is not a great thing for your  credit report. It will show on your report that you settled for less than the full amount for 7 years if you don't get it removed. I would try for a PFD. Despite what may have heard from others, it is still in your best interests to go through the motions of attempting a PFD by sending them a letter about it. I would not send it certified mail either. I would not frame this as some sort of confrontational thing. I would present it with a more friendly tone. If they don't agree to a PFD and if you can afford it I would strongly advise you to pay the full amount as it will look much better on your credit reports as it will stay on your reports for up to 7 years after the first delinquency. For many people the difference between paying 100 or 600 dollars would be a huge amount but for many people it wouldn't be that huge. I am not sure which category you fall into but if you can afford it, I would pay in full. 

    The reason for this is that you do owe them money and by paying in full you are demonstrating to anyone who looks at your credit report in the next 7 years that you are a person who honors their financial obligations. If you settle, you are showing anyone who reads your credit report in the next 7 years that you stuck the company with most of your debt. I regret having settled on my credit card debt personally. iIf I could do it over, I would pay in full. Also, if you pay the full amount then it will make it easier for you to convince them to possibly delete the item with a goodwill letter some time in the future. I would certainly send a GW letter either way afterward. 

Good luck!