What is Reddit's opinion of Portage Reporters Notebook – Top Bound Spiral Notepad, Blank Cover Steno Note Book, Perfect for Reporters & Journalists Taking Notes in the Field, Narrow Ruled – 4 x 8 Inches, 70 Sheets,140 Pages, (Pack of 12)?

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Hey. Sales bro here, though I sell software, not cars. Hope it's okay if I chime in with a bit of advice, and maybe the other sales guys here can correct me if I'm wildly off with anything.

There's a lot to unpack here, and the big point I'd make is it sounds like you're early in your sales journey. So getting used to failing -- and finding new and exciting ways to fail, without beating yourself up about it -- will go a long way for you.

In terms of specific advice, I'll offer just two points...

> Im trained to ask the least amount of questions as too many questions is considered a police interrogation.

Technically true, but misses the point. You need to constantly be discovering information about the customer and what they want. Whether you do it by asking questions or not is up to you.

Looking at your example below, it sounds like one thing you could work on is asking a single question and then stopping so that they can answer. When it's your turn to talk again, you can reflect back whatever they say, then ask your next question.

If the only thing you're doing is asking questions when it's your turn to talk -- or, even worse, if you ask multiple questions in a row -- that's what makes it start to feel like an interview/interrogation.

In terms of what question to ask and how to open, the principle that works for me (and applies to you too, I think) is that the prospect is already there in front of you, so they must have had a reason for showing up today. Just ask them what it is. "So, what inspired you to come in today?"

And then say nothing. They'll tell you what they want (or what they don't know about what they want), and then you can steer the sale.

> i have a condition that effects my short term memory so I can not remember so much when greeting someone.

Why not buy a little notepad like this, pair it with a cool little pocket-size pen like this, and just carry them both around in your front pocket?

When the prospect starts talking, just pull it out immediately and start taking notes. When they pause -- or if they give you an inquisitive look -- just say something like, "Sometimes I forget things, so I'm just taking some notes on your needs if that's okay so I can keep track of what matters to you."

It could actually segue nicely into capturing their info later on, since you could hand them the pen and notepad, and just ask them to write down their contact info "so I can keep my notes organized for you."

I'm actually shopping for a car now. If a sales guy actually wrote things down while I was talking (or even followed up on time), I'd be over the moon.

I actually rarely cover breaking news anymore but the “backpack journalist” mentality still exists!

I am also a complete cliche in that I’m extremely extremely picky about my notebooks/pens.

I like a full-sized notebook for my journal (7 x 9, hard-covered, lie-flat.) I have this one. I’ve also used Moleskine and Leuchtturm and liked them fine. I prefer lines but some people like blank or dots.

I like the Moleskine weekly planner (not the horizontal one!) because I like having a blank page opposite the week to jot down general notes/to-do lists.

The reporter notebook is a cheap one because I go through them quickly, but now that I buy them myself rather than get them through my newsroom I like these because they’ve got blank covers and are narrow-ruled.

I’m also extremely picky about pens because I want them to write smoothly, not smudge and be comfortable to hold— I prefer gel pens, specifically BIC gel-o-city and Papermate Inkjoy. I have them both in black and some fun colors because sometimes I want a colored pen. I bought my own pens even in newsrooms because I hate ballpoints that much.