The merchant perk is still worth it and is not difficult to get at all, it actual help with the gameplay IMO it boost the experience further , once you have it don't have to worry completely about loots or if some skills are quite under level
Also don't worry getting +200 soul gems right off the bat , get it in groups about 50+ is more than enough earlier, obviously you need it higher as you level up , but you find more gems empty and filled as you play the game, dwemer ruins, mora's realm and the soul cairn are the best places
Especially the soul cairn although some gamers hate that place
The merchant perk is still worth it and is not difficult to get at all, it actual help with the gameplay IMO it boost the experience further , once you have it don't have to worry completely about loots or if some skills are quite under level
Also don't worry getting +200 soul gems right off the bat , get it in groups about 50+ is more than enough earlier, obviously you need it higher as you level up , but you find more gems empty and filled as you play the game, dwemer ruins, mora's realm and the soul cairn are the best places
Especially the soul cairn although some gamers hate that place