It is not a matter of willingness to pay. In most instances you simply can not. They are also not as willing as people might believe to a payment plan. Even if they where, some of their pricing is ridiculous.
These collection companies are a cult and industry until themselves. I get calls on my cell phone from the same number 3 times a day, and I am NOT the debtor, the message they leave is for some guy whose name I cannot pronounce.