How have you suffered? What, phone calls from them asking where there money is at? I think i understand you now....you are thinking that with the economy down, you will pay much less then what you owe, correct? What is your current occupation? Do you live on your own or with parents? 
I am pretty sure that they cannot call you on your cell, am i right?
I have suffered because I have to pay cash up front for anything that I buy. I cannot buy a car I cannot pay cash for, and can not lease most apartments. If shit hits the fan, I have only my savings as a backup, I can not live on credit for any length of time.
In all honesty I never realized what having good credit meant until I lost it. And my decision to only settle is based on the fact that one should never pay more than one has to. If you KNOW a collection agency will eventually settle, and can afford to wait, a smart man settles. They pay 8-10 cents on the dollar, just how much profit should I pump into these worthless fucks pockets?
Bottom line- a number of places HAVE agreed to settle, and I would have sent the check, yet they refused to provide for me a deal in writing. Also there is no point in paying a debt unless you know for a fact that the agency will report to the reporting agencies that you have paid, thus giving you back your good credit. If said collection agency refuses to provide a date, IN WRITING, that means they will report when they are good damn ready to do it. Could be years.
Point is- I want my deals in writing, and I want to know when I am getting my good name back, IN WRITING. The collection agencies seem to think anyone trying to settle must NEED credit and thus they have the upper hand, and they attempt to be assholes whenever they can be. They are scum trust me. If they would worth with me, I would have all my debt paid off already.
And FWIW I haven't had a regular job in nearly a year now as I am a full time student.
