I don't know where your friend lives in Louisanna, but it wouldn't cost $100.00 to ship a blower from Texas to Louisanna.
Also the the phone number you provided is to a land line in Austin texas not Dallas Texas.
I smell rat here and don;t know how much you have already sent him, but i think you may have been taken for a ride already, and i wouldn't put another nickel in the pot. if your friend live in north east Louisanna i would have him just pick it up, or maybe you could suggest that to the seller and see how many excuses he comes up that it can't be picked up.
Just a guess, but i'll bet he comes up with some.
Another thing that makes this sound like a scam is that the PH # is in Austin and you said the guy was from Dallas, they are 200 miles apart.
Zip.
PS, i live in Louisanna