This is the thing I don't understand, being a guy from NORTH Jersey (Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, etc) and NYC. The bags are always usually the same size, packaged the same with four folds and taped. Always rubber banded in a bundle and in a brick it's 5 separate bundles wrapped in Porno magazine paper very nicely. Can't discuss price here, but it's generally usually between a certain amount and certain amount.. an average high and low. Usually aren't too far apart. Catch my drift?
Now I was new to Philly but expected to pay what I did for a bag. Packaging is different, the atmosphere is different, each block/set is run like a business at least the good ones are, and there are TONS of them EVERYWHERE in the right neighborhood(s). The one I was in is pretty notorious for drugs, specifically dope. So anyway, I was impressed. Count and quality was good, but I paid what I paid for X amount of bags. Didn't mind. Now I hear you can get discounts if you buy bundles, which equates to the pricing of North Jersey average bags on a level. But bundles in Philly are 13-14? I don't even know. I was told 13, but someone said 14. I didn't buy a bundle, but have been told you can get 14 (a bundle) for a certain price which makes it very close to an AVERAGE 14 bags bought up North. Now, if you know the main dude running the set or a good dealer and have a good relationship/known for a while, then I'm sure you can get even better deals and bags for cheaper.. but I'm talking buying straight off the street.
Buying straight off the street on 3 different sets in Philly will yield you usually good product, same price. Buying straight off the street on 3 different spots in North Jersey (Newark, Paterson) you will usually get good product, but price can vary. Some spots sell cheaper bags, discounts on bundles, bricks, 2fors, etc. I really wasn't getting that vibe in Philly, I did a little shopping and have only been there once so I really can't say I KNOW the scene, but I took my shot and had success easily. It seems it's a set price per bag, if you want a bundle you talk, it might vary slightly per dealer and that's it. I don't know much about buying anything more like bricks or even grams (which I am sure you can get in Philly pretty easy). It's a different market, and if Camden is like Philly like you say, why do I hear bundles in Camden are 10 bags like the rest of NJ? And I never heard of the sealed bags in Camden. You have educated me now. Always been curious of Camden. It's SO close to Philly, but I thought the markets were different, but I guess I was wrong. So Camden is pretty much the same thing as Philly in terms of the market there? Packaging, pricing, way the sets/spots work, etc? What is a bundle in Camden? I was thinking of venturing over there, but fuck that as harsh as NJ laws are already PLUS I always hear bad things about cops in Camden especially if you are white. I have heard it can quite be possibly the hottest city in Jersey. It's small compared to the others, even Paterson (which can get hot and is a small city too). AND now, with all this shit going in Camden recently, the thread that was made.. because of the ongoing raids, etc.. I would never ever step foot in that city for drugs ever. Philly cops are lenient, I guess they can be tough when they need to be, but the area I was in was a fucking ghetto. I seen some cops, but they really left all the junkies and even dealers alone. There are WAY too many spots/dealers and like 5x the drug addicts wandering the streets of the neighborhood, it is ridiculous. Something I never ever seen, in Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, NYC, etc.. it was quite a site to see. People lining up outside trap houses, fighting over the 'hot stamps. Cops not bothering anyone really. Fighting the real crimes.. the violent crimes; shootings, rapes, robberies, aiding people in accidents, etc.
I had a conception of the Philly heroin market, but it has been completely blown away now that I have been there and experienced it. Park your car and walk around on foot, you won't get far in your car, it's tough. Lot's of sets are set up, where the guys won't come to your car. You just have to go up to them and they will take you to a trap house or have you wait around the corner while they get the stash. I walked around the blocks, hearing the stamp names yelled out everywhere. All the dealers, latino; Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Colombians. Then again I was in the Latino neighborhood, but that is where the good dope is. I feel like they do better business than black dealers, not to sound racist. I am used to the blacks of North NJ, but the latinos got it on lock in Philly. Opened my eyes up. Good experience. I felt pretty safe in regards to the cops and I was on foot (a first). I always use a car in North NJ to roll up to the spot. But that's picking up heat anywhere. Definitely good dope, good quantity, etc. Somewhere I'd like to learn more of in regards to the marketplace. I was happy I went. And it's about the same distance to my house than Newark.