Oh hell no, he's just trying to fleece you now. 30 bucks for something you never mentioned? "Not mint". What a load of hogwash. I say he's fucking with you.
I say, try the 2000 character thing, and if hat doesn't work out make him send the ipad back via registered mail, at your cost. That may cost quite a bit too (not familiar with postal services outside Germany) but at least you have the damn thing back. Why the hell are you letting him treat you like that. I thought you needed the money quickly.
Bet he'll play for time. Don't let him. Send him a self-addressed prepaid folded box as soon as the 2000 word thing fails. Via certified mail with return receipt and restricted delivery, just to be a dick.

Hindsight-enhanced suggestion:
Never again mention that you need the money. Say your wife doesn't allow you to buy so many tech toys, or that you want to upgrade to ipad 2, or whatever else you can cook up; as long as it's plausible it's OK. Once others learn that you're in a position of weakness you'll apparently be taken advantage of. Fun times we live in.