One of the best things I've ever experienced

OK, this post is no exaggeration: Peddle rocks. 

Our 2009 Toyota Highlander hybrid recently bit the dust. The hybrid battery failed after 210,000 miles. The Highlander was the best car we've ever had, and we've had some great ones, including a Ford Explorer, Acura Integra and Lexus ES300. But we knew it's time was coming as more creaks and groans led to the battery failure. Replacing the battery was an option, but would either be expensive or inconvenient. And while it's possible to continue driving a hybrid once the battery starts to fail, at some point the electrical system and related batteries stop functioning. 

The dealer where we bought our replacement for the Highlander — a new Honda Ridgeline Trailstport — had no interest in taking the Toyota as a trade-in. And we didn't want to saddle it with another private party in our small town. So, junk yard, here we come. 

Upon searching online for local junkyards, I stumbled across a site called Peddle, which offers to buy vehicles sight unseen. They pay on the spot and come to your house to haul the vehicle away. The idea was so simple, my spidey-sense went off. This has to be scammy somehow. 

Further research indicated Peddle has bought more than 4 million cars since founding in 2004, and have more than 205,000 rave reviews on TrustPilot. OK, there might be something to this. 

So, I go back to Peddle.com and start the process to get an offer on our Highlander. Peddle asked for basic vehicle information, followed by about 10 easy questions, including:

• Does your vehicle start and move? 
• Is the battery charged?
• Does it have four wheels attached? 
• Any major dents or window cracks?
• Is the interior in good condition? 
• Is the catalytic converter in place?

Nowhere was I asked if the hybrid system worked, only if the car started and would run. Yep, it could. 

That assessment took me about about two minutes to complete, and half of that time was checking the Peddle FAQs to make sure I didn't need to prove more detail, photos, paperwork, etc. (You don't).  

I hit submit, and in less than 1 minute, I had a no-haggle offer that was more than what I expected. After a few more minutes of research to make sure I wasn't missing anything, I clicked "accept" on the offer.

Less than a minute later, my phone was ringing with a Peddle rep calling to set up a day and time to pick up my vehicle. That process took less than 1 minute. An email confirmation with clear instructions arrived within a few minutes. 

On the day of the pickup, a friendly Peddle driver with a longbed pulled up right on schedule and did a very quick walk-around the Highlander to make sure it had four wheels, no major dents/cracks, etc.. He hen started the car to make sure the battery and engine functioned. After that 1 minute process, he stepped out and handed me a check for the amount I originally accepted. I handed over my signed title and, voila, I was done. 

While I was inside our house quickly depositing the check via our mobile banking app, the driver quickly loaded the Highlander onto the flatbed and was off. 

This is no joke: I spent maybe 30 minutes on the entire process, including research to make sure Peddle wasn't a scam. Peddle's process from the minute I first visited the site to the vehicle being hauled away was magical in its simplicity and fairness. I can't recommend Peddle enough, and in a world filled with scammers and squirrely personnel, it stands out as a model of excellence. Leave it to smart folks trading in junk to develop the platinum digital experience.