Taped dropouts...?
 

I'm buying a bike with taped dropouts... apparently to keep gravel dings off. Is that common? Should I be worried about it peeling the paint off when removed? I figure frame paint's pretty tough, even on really old tape. Any stories?

should be fine. any residue can be easily removed with wd40 or similiar.

Take it off before you buy it and make sure that the tape isn't hiding cracks or other damage...