WOW
1st off-- as a new member I have never dealt with either of the subaru parts people but I know eventually I will (must?)
2nd--I agree that parts dealers much of the time act like "monopolies"---
(especially when dealing with a rare car whose parts are not often found in junkyards)---
read: $VX ooops I mean S V X ---
they pretty much act like CABLE TV companies..they know they generally have you by the uh, um, 'bearings' (if you know what I mean) you might have another option (for example a dish service)but it is sometimes too much trouble to go to your other option.
Then again your second option can also have its drawbacks..higher prices--smaller inventory--bad customer service--farther away--etc..