Credit Collection Agency - Question?

• wire money online with credit card
• credit reporting agency
• credit report agency

So,


I am having issues with phone provider, and now has gone to a collection agency, and I was just wondering..


Since Collection Agencies are a$$holes, what would happen if I just paid the money directly to the phone provider, and NOT the collection agency?


Or does the agency collect and then pass it onto the phone provider?


I was under the impression agencies "buy" such things, then track them down and they get the money, right?


thanks :D

Additional Details

Oh okay, thanks for that. Since it has already gone to the agency, I will have a mark against my name regardless of whether or not I pay them, right?


Or If I pay it, I don't get anything against my name?


(sorry, first problem of this type :P)

Credit Collection Agency - Question?