WHO CAN YOU TRUST?
What is the risk exactly? Tape lasts a hell of a long time and as long as it's not gummy or shedding a reasonably well kept tape is a deal at less than half price.
If a tape is not sealed in plastic you don't know what brand or type it is, you don't know how old it is, you don't know how many passes.
There aren't a lot of honest people out there. I’ve seen enough scamming on the web to be a little cautious. Just think of all the ways a person could profit dishonestly with the “one-pass” story. And even if the site you buy it from is honest, how do they know for sure what they are passing along to you? Where do they get it? Who do they trust?
Even if it is indeed one-pass you still have to ask yourself -- if it’s not good enough for the studio to use it beyond one pass why should it be good enough for me?
As much as I have invested in my craft I'm not going to risk getting questionable tape to save a few bucks at the critical recording stage. I buy it new, then I know exactly what it is and how much it's been used.
Of course if your talking about tape just to goof around with it might be ok, but you still have to consider that the tape could be older than advertised -- tape shed and such. I use my own multiple-pass for that and use the new stuff for the important stuff.
You made a good point when you said, "Tape lasts a hell of a long time." Why not start with new tape so you know exactly what you have.
Tim