The game is a lot better now than it was a year ago. The NGE isn't that bad actually now that they have fixed a lot of bugs and allowed you to map keys. The 2 expansions of content is really nice.
However, if you are playing a merchant as your first character to make money then the engineer will make you money up front because you can create swoop speeders. However, in the end the Munitions will make you the most money because armorsmith can make you tons of cash.
Domestic goons on the Tailor track can make you nice money too since you can make slotted clothing. They all do something different in the powerup creation so if that is the way you want to go then discover that. You can always respec to another trade class without loosing your skillpoints.