General Questions

Who can buy at OFG?

OFG is not open to the public. We are a wholesale distributor and sell to registered floral trade buyers. To become a registered buyer please visit our front office on the second level of 910 Midway Blvd. in Mississauga, or contact Issa at 905 670-9556 Ext. 5227, or email at iherrera@ontarioflowers.com

What is the Auction schedule and times?

What is the difference between the minimum price and the Buy-Back price?

There is no difference, the terms are used interchangeably.

What is the difference between a Buyer number and a Seat number?

A buyer number creates an account number with OFG. In order to make any purchase at OFG (Auction or otherwise), a buyer account number is required. An access code number is used when a buyer makes any auction purchase.

Why do I need an access number to buy online?

Access code number is required for all auction remote on-line buying, PAPs, Pre-bids, including web SHOP THE CLOCK (STC) purchases. Please see access code fees for auction remote on-line or purchasing on the web.

How / Where do I pick-up my purchases?

If you have bought online and are arriving to pick up your product, park in the parking garage and go to the Customer service desk. Let staff know your method of purchase – Shop the Clock, Warehouse Sale, Virtual Auction or Same-day Auction. You will then be directed to where your product is.

What is the difference between Reserved Access and Non-Reserved Access?

Buyers have a choice to either have full reserved access giving purchasing capability through any one of OFG sales programs, including a seat in the gallery for one year with no added fee. Non Reserved access allows customers to make website, SHOP THE CLOCK (STC) purchases only. Customers with non-reserved access only can make auction gallery or auction remote purchases but are subject to additional fee of $50 on each auction invoice.

Do you deliver goods to my place?

Please speak to an OFG representative, we work with some 3rd party delivery services and we can provide pricing and options.

Pre-Auction Purchases (PAPs) and Pre-bids

How / Where can I make PAPs and Pre-bids?

They are done exclusively on-line via the Remote Buyer Program or the website. Pre-bids can be made at any time, even during the auction.

For PAPs:

Using the Remote Buyer program go to the Supply menu (or Virtual Supply Menu for future sales) and click on the line you want purchase from, then click on the “P-A Purchase” button on the top menu and enter how many lots you want?

Using the Website, go to the Pre-Auction Purchase menu and click on “Make a PAP”. Choose either Gallery Sales (same day sales) or Virtual sales (future pick up). You will then have to enter your Remote Seat number (remote seats are obtained from the front office free of charge). Select how many lots you want and then click on “Buy it” The purchase is immediate and will be ready for pick up at 6:00 am on the next auction day.

For Pre-Bids:

Using the Remote Buyer program, click on the Supply listings and then click on a line item you want to bid on. Next, click on the Pre-Bid button on the top menu and then fill in the dialog box that appears by entering the amount you want to bid, the number of lots you want. Click ‘save’ and your bid will be registered.

Using the Website go to the Pre-bid menu and choose “Make a Pre-bid”. You will then have to enter your Remote Seat number (remote seats are obtained from the front office free of charge). Next, find the Product line you want to bid on, enter how many lots you’d like and then enter a bid.

When do the Pre-Auction Purchase (PAP) and Pre-Bid listings become available? How long are they available for?

Buyers can start making PAP purchases and Pre-bids right after the last auction is over. Typically product is made available as it comes in and is verified .

The listings grow as growers make more product available. You can only make PAP purchases for the next auction and it is ‘first come, first get’. Many buyers will check the listings multiple times a day.

What do the yellow and orange lines on PAP listings mean?

Yellow lines indicate that the product has never been on auction before

Orange lines mean that the product has been on auction before.

All product is inspected daily and graded appropriately.

Why are all lots NOT available for PAP?

We offer 60% of the lots in any given product line for PAP. This provides both the on-line remote auction customers and our auction galley customers the opportunity to make their purchases. Where there is only 1 lot in total, it is only availble only to gallery customers. If you see a line item with no PAP availablity, you can always make a Pre-bid.

How much should I Pre-bid?

This is a tough question as there are no guarantees on an auction. If the product is in demand, such as red roses near Valentine’s Day, you’ll probably want to pre-bid more than the Buy-Back price. You can always look at the average auction price listings on the website, here you’ll see average pricing from the last auction as well as from last week and many weeks before (up to 3 years of history is kept).