Do you think this is unethical? (read more)

Hello all, so, I was curious what you guys think.

I had someone give me a 64gb micro SD XC card from Lexar that needed data recovered, after a lot, too much, work and attempts to recover data, the only explanation is that it was dead, so the guy said he would come pick it up. He made two appointments to come and never did, and it’s been a month and a half now and no word, I’m guessing that he does not want it, or want to pay for the work I did.

Anyways, I finally had an idea, so I contacted Lexar, saying that I have a card that is defective, which I received as a gift, exchanged a bit of info like the camera I used (which I actually have and tried to see if the card was working), they asked for the date of purchase, I said I don’t know exactly but probably within a year (according to what the guy said, that should be correct).

Anyways, I now have an RMA number and am shipping it off for replacement today.

So I’m curious, do you think this is unethical? Yes, I lied a bit, however, it is a massive company, their product did die, It will barely cost them anything, and I will at least get something out of this instead of having wasted all that time.

I don’t really see a problem with it, and I am happy to be getting a nice SD card though my camera can only take up to 32gb lol, I am a person who does see this sort of thing as “the ends justify the means”