Speaking in general terms...
If you can't get a collections company to remove entries from your CR via a PFD, is it always best to pay them off and accept a 'Settled' entry on your CR? For example, maybe you have a collection on your CR that is four years old. Would it be best (strictly from a FICO score perspective) to pay it off, or simply to let it drop off in another three years? Also, are more recent collections weighed much heavily than ones that are a couple years old, or is a collection a collection in the eyes of a possible lender / cc company? Thanks!
OK, thanks for your response. Honestly, I have a bunch that aren't paid off and on my CR from when I was less responsible (two even posted early this year I think). I've started trying to rebuild and repair my credit this year. I got a cap 1 secured early this year, a cap quicksilver one in sept, and recently a Chase Freedom in November. I have a pre-approved offer from Barclay for their Rewards card, which I would take if it will help my credit, but don't necessarily need it. No late payments on CR, but pretty low AAoA and the collections are KILLING my score. Just want to make sure the steps I take are proactive in improving my credit going forward.