Like a buyer too I suffer that too, but I think here in SL the both comments need to be expose in the same label,now I can only see the buyer feedback and not the provider response.

The only thing I dont like in freelancer.com is: when you win a project and for some reason buyer dissapear or not paid you, the website dont refund project fees.

I need to agree with Deep, if support can response more fast SL will gain a lot.
I still remember a case: some "genious" block my account because in the PMB I wrote: "I live in Lima-Peru, -5 GMT..." first day SL support ask me for what I put that? for time difference second day I answer  : thats because I live in Lima capitol city of Peru and its at -5 Greenwich Meridian Time" third day my account was unblock, but I lose 2 jobs for that 3 days off... is safe that for SL?
I think if I dont respond in 48 hrs or more or my answer is not good you can block my account for further analisys or your people need to re take the geo class in the school :D
Like you can see if support check my response in the first time nothing wrong happens...

Ok thanks for the update, only for records: for example I win 5 projects only 1 was marked for verfied only, maybe others freelancers have a different statistics. That means for me is not a big improve yet... anyways Im still keeping my subscription open.

I think sending a little charge into the buyers credit card with a code, buyer need to put that code into the odesk process to verify his card, with it buyer is allowed to proceed.
But SL charge us $5 to keep the verified status.. :)

I think better is: force new buyers (with no freelancer account linked) to post a prepaid project.
With this SL avoid cancellations and support tickets for refunds and SL can verify buyers payment method asap and not wait until freelancer withdraw; and or a combination of your idea.

Can you tell me which benefict are now or planned? because rigth now I can only see that like a filter option for projects and in fact there is no direct benefict for buyers (discount??) or for freelancers.

Well I suffer 2 times for this, buyer want add more task for the same price or keep the job closing his servers and ask for escrow refund... plus to this bad behaviour buyer left a 1 of 10 review for free?? I think if a project is cancelled for this kind or bad conduct BOTH comments need to be showed in reviews, at this time only the bad review from buyer is showed.

In my case like a freelancer, they check my email and make a phone call verification.
For another level I need send a copy of my national ID/passport (with my photo and data clear), service billing (water, light or phone) with my names and address matching in both. All of these for free and only one time.