Charles,
I would say it is still inappropriate to open blind boosters without purchasing them, even for a common. If you really want a certain piece, go online and buy one. After this is said and done, there will be lots available at a decent price. Chases on the other hand will be outrageous as always. Good luck.

Well, that is generally what I do. And as stated, I wouldn't actually do that (opening boosters) myself, it was more of a theoretical question.

I would agree. I would also point out that there is a likelihood that if you wanted, say, Iron Man you have a pretty good chance of finding that someone has already opened the boxes and left them that way for your perusal. If it's already open I don't see the harm in looking, myself.

Like many others have posted (in this thread and elsewhere), if somebody else has already cherry-ripped a pack and left all the contents inside and undamaged such that I can see what is inside and want to buy it...I will.

As a matter of fact, a few months after the Target Green Lantern figures had been released, somebody had cherry-ripped several boxes. I took the opportunity to buy a visible figure that I needed to complete a second set of those figures. Between the ripper and myself, it certainly bypassed the intent of the product, but it was a purchase I would not have otherwise made for a product I'm pretty sure nobody else was interested in.