I got a completely different take on this one.....you actually had a craigslist seller call you back and tell you the item sold on another venue and that is was no longer available???
That's a nomination for craigslist seller of the year. What would be unethical is if he let you load up the truck and drive to his house expecting to pick up the pump and it was gone.
A craigslist deal is not a done deal until you pay for the item and drive away. Not really sure how long it's going to take for that reality to settle in with some of you.
I don't see that the seller did anything wrong on this one.