Should I be dealing the collector or the utility company for a debt?

[brooksorlando]

Credit report shows a debt from a Pennsylvania water company for about $140 from 2009. Called the water company to ask who owns the debt. They said they sent it to a collection agency (Commercial Acceptance in Shiremanstown, PA). She also said if you want to pay the water company they notify the collection agency, and if I want to pay the collection agency they'll notify the water company. Who should I be dealing with here? At first I wanted to try a Pay for Delete with the collection agency, but avoiding the collection agency all together sounds somewhat enticing. Any suggestions?

[brooksorlando]

Bump?

[CG in TX]

You can pay the water company direct, but there is no guarantee that the collection item will come off your CR. Most likely, it would then be reported as a paid collection. If you want it off your credit report, you will probably have to negotiate with the CA.

[SnowdIn]

I paid a utility directly and the CA disappeared from my report even though the utility told me it would be reported as paid.

[GobBluth]

If the Utility is willing to accept payment, I would go directly through them. If the collection isn't removed from your reports, the CA would never be able to validate the debt down the road.