Here's a second example, where this auto merge can prevent people from getting help and/or support:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=92526
1. Member asks for help
2. A fix was offered
3. Member confirms that the fix worked
4. Member posts later that there's still a problem
5. Post in #4 is auto merged, so no one gets notified about the remaining problem
6.
4 days later Someone else replies that they have the same problem.
7. Now a notification is sent, and the person helping is able to see that there was a post that was missed due to auto merge.