Shocking FOX kashima and new recalls

Well I'm wanting to gauge everyone's thoughts on what's going on with the FOX forks. I've encountered three other riders in the last month that have all had their kashima coating on their shocks wearing away. One 26" and 2 X 29" shocks. I thought this outer layer was supposed to be quite tough, but now I'm thinking my old alloy Fox shocks never had this issue and seemed to last for ever.(still lasting actually!)

Have I been taken for a spin on a good marketing campaign regarding the wonderful advantage of the kashima coating(It came standard on my bike) or is there a very real advantage, or none at all?

I'm now in the process of replacing the stanchions which has taken three weeks(and counting) to arrive? In the interim there has been a recall of some specific fox shocks that was posted here recently.

What's going on with FOX? Does anyone know anyone at FOX that can tell us?

I'd love to hear if you've also had wearing on your stanchions...is the older not-so-sexy type fork actually better....or should I change brand altogether at a significant cost.