Hi Naked:

I have the exact same problem.  I thought it was the removal tool and borrowed a different kind from a friend (removal vice is at the tip of the tool) and it made no difference.  I think about 4 of 5 collapse on me too, and I end up basically trying to break them and pull the hair from the crunched up ball.  Let me know if you find anything easier.  A bit of conditioner applied to the link helps a little also.

Charlie

IF there is still an extension tip in the ring, the very easiest removal(irregardless of whose brand you have in)is to use a flat iron to heat it up a bit and the tip should pull out without having to squeeze the ring, then the ring should slip off because there is plenty of room now.  I discovered this after having several fold over on me. If you still need to squeeze them, the best gripping pliers I have found are "bead" pliers.  They can grab onto just about any surface and usually don't take the paint off.  You can find them just about anywhere, the tips are 2 tiny cone shapes and the surface of them is very akin to fine emery boards. 

Oils and conditioners help to loosen them as well, but heating them seems to work the best.  Try turning them on their side as well and make sure you have them lined up right into the grooves-if all you have is a grooved pinchers, flat ones just don't seem to be able to grip onto them well. 

A foreword warning about using them for making tracks to sew to, they can be a pain is the a$$ to get out if you only put them onto tiny bits of hair with NO other tip in.  I have chewed quit a bit of hair off when trying to remove rings that are squeezed very flat on just my own hair.

I hope this helps.

I hate the micro rings from dr. locks.  I found that to crumple upon removal too.

I really like the protubes from hairpiece.com and I think that AMM sells then now too.

I have used them to make tracks as well as individual extensions, and they do not crumple when you try to remove them.

Good luck!