Try your local college - they tend to have an annual clear out of old equipment that has (usually) been well maintained but their budgets require them to purchase new equipment on a regular basis.
They are more sympathetic towards 'genuine' users in need as they do find resellers plaguing them on the make.
Personally, apart from a 'scope and meter, I started out building my own basic test equipment and with the cheap'n'cheerful modules available via the usual Chinese retailers this is quite easily achieved.
In fact I STILL build test equipment and will post some in-construction pictures shortly.