I felt sad regarding this issue, the purpose of merit is to improved ourselves to give quality post. Selling merit is not helping' you just torelating them not to improved themselves, it is a part of the rule so we need to follow.
Just report those people who are selling their sMerits and they shouldn't be tolerated and when you found one you are contributing to the forum.
If i have insight too sir who abused merit system i immediate report to the DT members, those abusers may not exist here on this forum they are cheated the rules given by admin, they are not fair to others it's a kind of selfish and yes they shouldn't be tolerated that they not obey the new rules.
Yes merit is not for sale. Merit is the points given to you if your post is useful and constructive. Selling merit is not prohibited, buyers of merits are just wasting you're money. You can get merit by just constructing a very useful topic.
Selling of smerit is useful if you did not posted a quality post at that case you may demerit by admins.
Not necessary to buy smerit it is a big challenge on us just to have a quality post even though we are on delayed ranking system but hopefully we reached the required amount smerit to rank.