Survey: 1 in 10 Americans would ask William Shatner to negotiate a travel deal

I’m a sucker for anything having to do with Priceline’s Negotiator, William Shatner’s alter ego. There’s just something about Captain Kirk bargaining with airlines that’s a utterly surreal. Well, it turns out some of you feel the same way.

Asked to identify the “best negotiator out there” in a new survey by Opinion Research Corporation, 10 percent tagged Shat. No joke.

Who are the best negotiators?

• 30 percent of men chose themselves. Only 15 percent of women chose themselves.

• 12 percent of men chose their spouse, but 21 percent of women chose their spouse.

• 10 percent chose William Shatner.

• 9 percent chose President Barack Obama.

Among the other findings: 64 percent of respondents say they’ve negotiated or haggled on a purchase. Men (71 percent) are much more likely to haggle than women (58 percent). Southerners (70 percent) are more likely to haggle than folks from the Northeast (55 percent).

Priceline has its reasons for releasing the survey. It has a new co-branded rewards Visa Card that it’s promoting. But I think the numbers reveal just how much of a buyer’s market we’re in now, not just for travel, but any consumer product.

There are no numbers from last year to compare these to, but I hope Priceline repeats the survey next year to see if our negotiating ways have continued.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

Tagged as: NEGOTIATOR, Priceline, WILLIAM SHATNER

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