I can't say it is a common thing, but there are reports of various quality issues with that engine, as you can see from this thread. Squirting a small amount of petrol through the carburetor, or into the spark plug hole, should enable the engine to start if it has spark and compression. If it keeps going, you probably have a problem with the primer bulb mechanism and you could begin by following Joe's advice above. If it starts but doesn't keep going, you may have a more serious fuel delivery problem.
The short answer is yes, priming the engine by hand is a useful part of the diagnostic procedure, but if you remove the air cleaner to put fuel into the carburetor throat, stand clear when you try to start it. One of the functions of the air cleaner is to protect people if the engine spits back through the carburetor (which sometimes happens).
