Merit was made to determine one's post quality.
If someone buys and sells merit it means that he abuses the system.
I can guess that Merit trading is forbidden and those who try to trade Merit will probably get their thread to be deleted.
Merit also very helpful as it gives users the option to thank other users for their posts.
An ability that wasn't available before.
I agree, the problem is the meaning of the post with many users, but buying merit is abusive.
Merit has made new members stuck with their rank.
this is very difficult and seems unfair. old members are more benefited with this system.
Nobody didn't expect form Bitcointalk but we have to obey their TOS before posting anything. Yes, now it is very difficult for the Newbies to become members and even though they are posting quality content people are not getting any merits for it.