This is what my master at my boat building apprenticeship told me aswell.
But I discovered that simple applying of water to the wood and even a lighter, do the trick just as well. You only have to be carefull not to burn anything. Well, in this special case, with this wooden splinter sticking out, the cloth and hot iron might indeed be the needed choice of tools.
Its just so annoying. Even if I manage to repair it, I paid for an intact product and UPS ruined that for me. Well, thats what their insurance is for I guess.