I think it because he is also a newbie.
Maybe he did not know how to use escrow service,
Yeap, for OP, you should learn from this experience. Never deal even with someone you do not know well without escrow even it is only a small amount.
Is not so hard to use a escrow service
You get scammed because you did not even looking
Yeap, lesson learned, for now...
As I said in others!!you pay and you learned
I also learned when I get scammed.
You can leave negative feedback on his profile and just be alert as this user may come back with a new account.
A negative feedback will not get the funds back but is good,
All users that make scam should be disabled on this forum.