What to do
Yes be more careful next time.
Paypal would help you in this purchase like at Ebay if you had used Paypal. This site has nothing to do with that part.
This site does have a list of suggestions for buyers including using an escrow service which would have given you time to inspect the blower before OKing the payment.
Getting all the info about the purchase, ad #, any correspondance, etc., on this post about the sale, might give someone on here a way to help.
If the guy is dishonest, he may promise to do something to get the heat off him from this post, but he will never send you a dime. Unless you can file a suit on him, figure on fixing it and charge it to experience. Even winning a suit does not mean you will get repaid. JMO.
Racing Junk is providing a free service for a buyer and seller to come together. What happens after that is between the buyer and seller for the most part?