Anodizing shouldn't "flake" off. It is part of the oxide layer on the aluminium and can only really be removed mechanically or chemically.
I suspect it is paint or powder coating if it is flaking off. Probably not applied correctly (grind, acid wash, primer, etc.) if it is only 3 years old.
I think he said it was fading. It happens. If you read up on anodizing they just add a dye for the color and like most things there are high and low quality products. The sun is pretty tough to beat.
