[finnw]

> Later I found out that elance has a loophole where buyers who disputed or cancelled projects are not able to leave feedback.

The mistake many clients make is to request "cancellation". You should request a refund instead (and in the common case where a contractor goes silent, you will get back 100%.) Then mark the job as "complete" and leave feedback, which will be visible in their history (though it will not affect their average star rating.)

[lingben]

Requesting a refund and getting a refund closes the job as not completed, without the ability to leave feedback. The only way to leave feedback is to pay them either full amount or at least for 1 milestone.