Reasons for not getting merits includes:
•Low quality content - Do more research on what you post on the forum, the more information you acquire the more your post quality improves
•Posting in Spam mega threads - avoid threads which contain repetitive answers which are made just to increase post count
•Board preference - some boards receive more merit than others, mostly due to spam which drives smerit holders away and also makes it difficult to find quality post.

Does NOT include;
•Legendary members getting merited

Accounts don't need merits, it's given to quality posts which are merit worthy, regardless of the rank of the user. This should be a non-issue as legendary accounts getting merits does not in any way reduce the merits available for lower ranks, there are sources who have their smerits replenished regularly and users with unused smerits who are willing to spend them; meaning merits are always available for users who contribute constructively to discussions.