5 Freight Problems Even Experienced Shippers Face — and How Driven Group Solves Them
In a perfect world, freight moves the way it looks on a TMS screen: clean routes, clear ETAs, and no surprises. In the real world, even the most seasoned shippers deal with issues that disrupt schedules, damage relationships, and increase costs.
At Driven Group, we operate as both a full-service 3PL and an asset-based carrier — which gives us visibility into these problems from both sides of the supply chain. We’ve built our operation around solving the challenges that shippers run into most, even when they already know the playbook.
Here are the five issues that cost companies time, money, and trust — and the processes we use to prevent them.
1. Inconsistent Communication Creates Invisible Problems Until They Become Expensive Ones
Every shipper has felt the pain of radio silence. The load is supposed to be 80 miles out. Then it’s not.
Then the driver isn’t answering.
Then the carrier is “looking into it.”
By the time you get a status, you're no longer solving a delay — you’re performing damage control.
How Driven Group Solves It
We built our system around proactive transparency, not “update on request.”
- Dedicated dispatch teams monitor every load in real-time.
- Consistent touchpoints are sent at critical milestones — not just when someone calls.
- Direct communication with drivers through our internal channels eliminates bottlenecks.
- Experienced human oversight, not just automated pings, keeps exceptions from slipping through the cracks.
Shippers don’t need more software. You need a partner that actually communicates.
2. Appointment Failures and Missed Windows That Ripple Across the Entire Supply Chain
A carrier missing a 7AM delivery slot isn’t just a late truck — it’s dock congestion, detention, frustrated buyers, and retail scorecard hits.
Many carriers treat appointments as “targets.” High-level shippers know: they’re commitments.
How Driven Group Solves It
- We design schedules based on real-world transit times, not optimistic ones.
- Our asset-based fleet absorbs high-risk or time-sensitive loads where precision matters.
- We treat retail and distribution center appointments as non-negotiable — not suggestions.
- If anything threatens an on-time arrival, we escalate early, not late.
Most failures at the dock aren’t caused by traffic — they’re caused by poor planning.
3. Poor Claims Handling and Inconsistent Produce Care
Shippers that move fresh produce or temperature-sensitive freight know the stakes: a single degree swing or 30-minute delay during staging can compromise the entire load.
Yet many carriers still treat cold chain freight like dry van with a thermostat.
How Driven Group Solves It
We specialize in moving fresh produce — and we operate with the standards that sector demands:
- Strict temperature documentation from pickup through delivery
- Driver training specific to produce handling
- Pre-cooled equipment and proper air flow management
- Immediate escalation protocols if a reefer unit shows variance
- Clear accountability and transparent claims processes
For cold chain freight, consistency isn’t a bonus — it’s the barrier to entry.
4. Brokers Without Assets Over-Promise Capacity They Don’t Actually Control
Many 3PLs talk about capacity as if it sits behind their building. Seasoned shippers know better: most brokers don’t have direct control over the trucks they book.
This leads to re-brokering, last-minute fall-offs, and rate changes disguised as “market shifts.”
How Driven Group Solves It
Driven Group operates a growing asset-based fleet in addition to our brokerage.
This gives us:
- Guaranteed capacity when markets tighten
- Higher-level control over service quality
- Better alignment with our carrier partners
- Less volatility during peak seasons
- Reduced risk of re-brokering
We don’t sell trucks we don’t have. And we don’t make promises we can’t keep.
5. Limited Visibility Into What’s Actually Happening on the Road
Even experienced supply chain teams often get stuck with the same visibility gap:
TMS updates show movement, but they don’t show context — why something happened, what’s next, and what actions are being taken.
Without context, shippers can’t make decisions — they can only react.
How Driven Group Solves It
- 24/7 operations teams monitoring exceptions in real time
- Context-rich updates (not just “running late”)
- Multi-layered tracking from ELDs, dispatch, and driver communication
- Real-time alerts for delays, weather, or load risks
- Problem-first messaging, so issues are surfaced early with solutions attached
Visibility isn’t just about knowing where a truck is — it’s about knowing what’s happening and what we’re doing about it.
Final Thoughts: Freight Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Every shipper — even the most experienced — deals with these problems because they’re symptoms of a single issue:
most logistics partners are reactive, not proactive.
Driven Group was built to operate differently.
Whether it’s a time-sensitive retail load, temperature-controlled produce, or multi-pick regional freight, our priority is simple:
control, communication, and consistency.
If you’re looking for a partner that treats your freight like its own, we’re here.
