To get merits is to make quality posts. Certainly I will be surprised if merit trading is allowed.
A new trend is starting in meta, where Seniors calls for quality posts where they can review and award merits. Lookout for such opportunity who knows you can get some.
Maybe this one can help this guy. I found it by chance when reading around the forum.
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3049711.msg31395094#msg31395094There are lots of chances for newcomers to get merit as long as they are contributing to the forum somehow.