Common Data Entry Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
The 7 most expensive mistakes
Mistake #1: Ignoring repositioning miles
Leaving the "Repositioning" field completely blank when you deliver to a dead zone.
The reality: Say a load goes to Laredo, TX. You WILL need to drive 280 empty miles back to San Antonio just to find the next load. Apparent RPM: $1.60/mile → REAL RPM: $1.25/mile. The impact: a $0.35/mile error = roughly $448 in "phantom profits" that don't exist.
The fix: ALWAYS ask yourself: "Is there freight exactly where I'm delivering?" If the answer is NO → add repositioning miles. Simple as that.
Mistake #2: Using incomplete, vague addresses
Typing just "Chicago" (the metropolitan area is massive, easily spanning over 100 miles).
The reality: "Chicago" could mean Downtown, the O'Hare airport (15mi away), Joliet (40mi away), or Aurora (45mi away). The impact: a potential error of 40-80 miles.
The fix: Bad: "Chicago" — Better: "Chicago, IL" — Best: "1234 Main St, Chicago, IL 60601".
Mistake #3: Forgetting to update Current Location
You were in Detroit on Monday, drove to Atlanta on Tuesday, but your calculator still thinks you're in Detroit.
The reality: Your entire deadhead calculation will be completely wrong.
The fix: Every single time you open the calculator, verify your location. Enable GPS auto-update in your Settings to take that off your plate.
Mistake #4: Leaving tolls and fees out of payment
The broker says: "$1,200 base + $60 tolls" → you enter: "$1,200".
The reality: If the broker is reimbursing tolls or detentions, that is additional revenue hitting your account.
The fix: Add EVERYTHING together: Base $1,200 + FSC $150 + Tolls $60 + Detention $50 = $1,460 total income.
Mistake #5: Confusing "Loaded Miles" with "Total Miles"
Broker says "it's an 800-mile run" → you assume that's total miles → you input it incorrectly.
The reality: Brokers almost ALWAYS quote loaded miles only. Your deadhead to the pickup is completely your problem.
The fix: 99% of the time, just leave the "Loaded Miles" field blank. Let the app automatically calculate the exact routing for you.
Mistake #6: Failing to save rejected loads
You calculate a load → it looks terrible → you close the app (leaving no record that it ever happened).
The reality: Lex AI doesn't learn, and you lose valuable reference data for similar loads in the future.
The fix: ALWAYS hit save to History, even if you declined it. Lex will quickly learn your preferences and start pointing out trends.
Mistake #7: Using an outdated Cost Per Mile (CPM)
You configured your CPM 6 months ago at $0.95/mile. Meanwhile, fuel skyrocketed and insurance went up → your actual CPM is now $1.15/mile.
The reality: The app will mistakenly tell you loads are "profitable" when you're actually losing cash.
The fix: Review your CPM monthly. Head to Settings → Cost Per Mile → Update.
The checklist: before calculating any load
If every single box checks out → run the calculation with absolute confidence. If you're missing info → call the broker immediately and get it.
Bonus feature: smart error detection
Did you know our app automatically watches your back for common mistakes?
You entered:
Current: Dallas, TX
Pickup: Dallas, TX
Delivery: Laredo, TX
Repositioning: [BLANK]
⚠️ Warning:
Laredo is historically a low-freight zone.
Typical repositioning needed:
• San Antonio: 280 mi
• Corpus Christi: 220 mi
• Austin: 320 mi
Include repositioning?
[YES, add San Antonio] [NO, I have an amazing backhaul plan]
The app acts like your personal dispatcher, protecting you from costly oversights.
Immediate action (takes 5 minutes)
- Open the Settings tab in your app
- Verify your current CPM against your actual expenses
- When was the last time you updated it? ______
- If it's been more than 30 days, re-run your numbers using Module 1
- Enable GPS Auto-Location if you haven't already
- Review your last 3 saved loads in History: do you spot any of these 7 mistakes?
Garbage in = Garbage out.
The calculator app is flawless at crunching numbers... but only if you feed it flawless data. Avoid these → your business numbers will be 99% bulletproof.
Watch out for the 7 common slip-ups:
- Ignoring repositioning
- Vague addresses
- Outdated current locations
- Missing toll/fee reimbursements
- Confusing loaded miles with total miles
- Forgetting to save declined loads
- Relying on an outdated CPM