If all of you dudes having reel seat problems can't get satisfaction
from the manufacturer, can't find a local rod repair guy, or are too
nervous to try the repair yourself send the rod section to me and I
will repair for the cost of the reel seat and freight.

All three of you guys: (a. bent locking ring), (b. locking ring
backwards), (c. reel foot biteing too deep into reel seat), have only
one correct solution. That is to put on a new real seat.

Warning: don't try heating or boiling or any other technique you may
damage your rod permanently.

Get a hold of me here or send me an Email.
Joel