Deletion letter, pay bills, collections, Pay it now help my score?

Hi Bo,
Thanks for the information on your great site. I was wondering if you get a chance to give me your opinion about this problem. I have 2 co. listed on my credit report under collections for the same bill which I am disputing with the original vendor. Both co no longer are contracted by the vendor to try and collect the bill. What is the best way to get them off of my credit report asap? Should I contact the collection agency myself and ask for a letter or should I just go through the 30 day
dispute process or both? Also, I purchased 1 report directly from Equifax, will a dispute online work ro do I need to send them a letter?
Thanks so much for any help and ideas you can provide. Feel free to post it.
Sincerely
REAL PERSON

Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 9:09 PM
Subject: Re: Quick question
I'd dispute them first and list the non contractor for original bill as reason for removal. It's like they are ot of business. They should not be allowed to keep your records if not under contract. Which would mean the account should be removed. At the very least they ae duplicates and one should go. I advocate mail as piece of mind mean more to me than getting a piece of them.
Just mail sit back and don;t get frustrated or waste time

Thanks Bob for the personal reply and taking the time to share your wealth. Not sure what this means "I advocate mail as piece of mind mean more to me than getting a piece of them." Also does disputing online not work as well as hard copy mail? Since I am in a hurry to boost my score I thought it might work best. Which is also why I was going to contact the contractor to optain a deletion letter.
Thanks

Sent: Friday, June 24, 2005 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: Quick question
A deletion letter is perfect. yes The hassle of on the web i have found is not worth the time unless of course your "very good". Piece of mind means i just "set it and forget it". Gather my belongings, sign them, make copies, and mail them.
Thats settting it then forgetting it.
Hurry? You can do it I'm sure.
If you find it an easy fast in a hurry task please post how you did it like i have.


Quoting REAL PERSON
Thanks again Bob for your help. One last question is about a small collection thats on my account for $286.00 from 6 years ago. If I pay this off will it help or hurt my credit score?
Take Care

Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2005 14:57:03 -0700
From: Bobo Majors
To: REAL PERSON
Subject: Re: Quick question
I belive a person should pay all they're bills period.
Will it help?
Probably not much if it is more than 2 years old already.
But it sure does look and feel good.