Actually if merit trading really exist means that thing like merit system is really hard for newcomers to do.
Well it is hard if you don't try your best. That's why it is advise for newbies to really learn first to get their merit before doing what they love doing here, joining bounties and earn some free token. However, if they want to participate in bitcoin signature campaign, then they really need to work hard for that because campaigns right now requires some merits to be accepted.