Based on the work cultures I've been in, there would be more unspoken peer pressure not to rip off another employee, meaning a used item breaking apart shortly after purchase. (work cultures are government offices and professional services, where there is greater vigilance by employees not to be too sloppy in general). If the people all work in the same building, the word would get through the grapevine among several employees about the employee-jerk. The employee-jerk would have work with/face these people. Can't hide too much. So there's the peer pressure right there to sell a used item decently.

What would be riskier ..is renting an apartment or rm. That has more long-term risk.

It actually worked out ok, because people somtimes had movie or theatres they could not use up but purchased well advance. So they sold it off discounted.