They wouldn't have come up with this thought if there was to be any other way of getting Merits except for quality posting.
So, there is only one other way, and that is to get out of this forum. You either earn Merits or gtfo of here, because if you can't earn Merits, you are stuck in that rank forever, and I know you can't bear that because you are here only to earn a few bucks and not growing your rank means no money, or less money. And I doubt someone not looking for money in this forum cares to be sad just because he hasn't ranked up just yet. What's the hurry for getting promoted if you are just here to learn? But you are not, right? Hell yeah!

Sorry for everything I said if that hurt you. I really don't want to make you sadder, but I gotta be honest, you know.