Guess I should have looked up the correct spelling of the word I wanted to use, the tip was deteriorating and I referred to it as gone. It was not completely missing. As I wrote, the bow was in "like new" condition. When I questioned him about the tape he said he put it on the bow when he bought it to keep the string on. The bow also had the original Bear string. I do kick myself for not making an offer on the bow and just replacing the deteriorating tip.
He also had two like new Bear cubs, without the tape on the bow tips and I bought them and a dozen microflite arrows.