Tequipment has to be one of the most difficult shops to buy from, at least at a discount. After struggling to get a military or educational discount quote with 4 different quote request I just ordered from Amazon. Tequipment did everything they could to duck and dodge the discount request. If I think about it too long I will box this stuff up and send it back. Did not know about the EEVblog discounts. The many sales persons I spoke to could have mentioned that. Ended up ordering a DS2072A, DP832 and DG4062 from them via Amazon just t get the Prime shipping and even that went south. Just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I think I will look elsewhere for my bench DMM and spectrum analyzer. Overall not pleased with this shopping experience.
I'm sorry to hear your experience has been different from mine and others. I've ordered several items without a problem and fast shipping. I've only used the EEVBlog discount since I don't qualify for any other discount so I can not speak about those other discounts or how they work.
I can say that the EEVBlog discount is for EEVBlog members, people that watch EEVBlog on YouTube and participate on the forum. This is given to EEVBlog members as a courtesy from TEquiptment and I assume was worked out with the owner of EEVBlog. This is not a publicly advertised discount and not meant to be used to get new members to join EEVBlog. I can only assume because it was set up for current members (and we still give it out to new members also when asked for) then TEquiptment as a company is not required to advertise a discount given to another site like the EEVBlog discount. Because TEquiptment might publicly advertises education or military discounts then they may inform you of that option when requesting quotes.
I do know if you mention the EEVBlog discount during a quote process they will apply the discount. But remember that most companies only allow one discount to be applied and usually will not allow multiple combined discounts on a single order or quote.
Another thing to always consider is your location. When I lived in a different state I was not taxed by Amazon and the tax rate was more then the EEVBlog discount. So then it was worth buying from Amazon but this was still provided by the same supplier. I made sure it was from the same supplier so the manufacturers warranty was still valid since the supplier was an authorized reseller of the product I was purchasing.
Recently Amazon decided to set up shop in Ohio and now some items shipped and sold from Amazon are taxed for me. So now I will buy directly from the suppliers like TEquiptment since it's cheaper on tax and I can apply the EEVBlog discount being a member of this forum.
I'm sorry to hear about your personal experience and frustration and can't say if you should send items back or not. But going forward if the EEVBlog discount is cheaper or the same as education/military discounts then you have the option to use that one now that your a member.
Please keep in mind the above other variables like tax and shipping. TEquiptment is free shipping on most items over $99 and I usually receive their items in 2 to 3 working days. I'm also an Amazon prime member and do sometimes debate if if the extra cost is worth ordering from Amazon when it's absolutely needed in 2 days. But I can also tell you that amazons prime 2 day shipping is not always a guaranteed 2 day shipping. I've had them take 3 or 4 days also and they were nice enough to read the fine print to me from the Amazon agreement basically saying sorry at the same time telling me it's not a guaranteed promised 2 day shipping and I was wrong to argue it. So now I wonder as my prime membership is close to ending if I will be renewing it or not.
I would definitely not rule out TEquiptment for future purchases, they take care of their customers if you receive an item that has a problem being an authorized dealer for most of the items they sell. A friend of mine is currently still trying to get his Bryman meter repaired and had to ship it half way around the world for the warranty. This was 45 days ago and they still have not replace or repaired the item. I take things like this into consideration when I buy items that I consider expensive. I made the mistake of buying one item from eBay and even once from Amazon to find out later it was not covered under manufacturers warranty because it wasn't sold to me by an authorized reseller/dealer.
Good luck on your future purchases.
FYI: NanoFrog and I have recently changed the template we use for providing the discount code when requested. It now includes instructions in how to apply the discount at the bottom of our responses. This was done to make things easier for the EEVBlog members purchasing an item from TEquiptment.