Typical MacRumor Apple "fanboi" response.
If you bought a new car and the paint started flaking off around the door handle after you have opened the door a few times I am sure you wouldn't be happy. Apple clearly have a problem with the finish. I am also really careful with my iPhone 5 - it has a Zagg cover back and front and it has never been near anything metallic yet the paint around the bezel is flaking off. I don't see why Apple's inability to build a durable phone should be my problem and I will very politely be asking for a replacement phone. Like antenna-gate, I shouldn't really need a bumper to cover up another apple error.
Typical "I broke my XYZ and have to blame it on someone else" OCD fanboi response.
If paint was flaking off the door handle of a new car after a few uses and a dealership/manufacturer was to believe it WASN'T due to the driver, it would have to be a documented issue (to cover it under a recall, etc.). So far, Apple has indicated that silver wear on the edges is to be expected with use, especially if you don't take care of it (it's the small trade off from using aluminum to make the phone lighter, thinner, AND less likey to shatter/crack).
There has been NO acknowledgement of a "defect". Mainly because there IS no defect, just careless owners that are trying to blame their inability to take care of the product on someone/thing else.
I have no way of knowing if you took care of the phone or dragged it behind your car for 30 miles down a dirt road... What I
do know is that you are in the serious minority with your "problem" (even on a "fanboi" forum) and that makes your story of it flaking entirely on it's own suspect.
I take care of mine, use it without a case, and have NO "flaking". I know a guy who dropped his on cement. It has damage now.
He could blame Apple, but he's a big boy and knows it's his fault for not taking care of it. He knows it didn't happen on it's own, but he could lie and say it did if he wanted to I guess...