How typical is it for the need to adjust the guides on new spinning rods?  More often than not I find crooked or bent guides.  I only assume that shipping to the retailers, customer abuse, and maybe quality control all play a part.

Is there a proper way of adjusting them, or is it just a matter of puttin' an eyeball to it

No blank is perfectly straight and no eyes are perfect...  therefore no rod's guides are in 100% perfect alignment.

Unless they are bent, the best adjustment is NO adjustment.  By moving them (bending them) you risk 3 things... cracking the wrap's finish, breaking the guide leg or popping out an insert.

Thanks flechero, Makes me feel better.