dunno about northern border shipping or if there's room for negotiation on price, but I just saw this on - ahem - 'another forum'; https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/rallitek-overload-springs-rear-fits-2000-2004-ob.531827/

Thanks, that's where I used to hang out before immigrating here.  Appears to be a good price, but still a little dear for this rustbucket.  I'll keep it in mind as the job progresses.

I’m sure you’re aware of this but car-part.com I’ve seen some Canadian shops on there and every one I’ve ever called will mail parts.

Sometimes places want absurd prices for struts, I guess people are desperate not to compress springs.  But sometimes you can get used struts for $25. One or two of those and you’ve got spare stock spring and top hat.

The rears don’t have bearings so the bushing material is either cracked badly or not. 

Maybe I already mentioned this - rear 05-09 struts are interchangeable, so if the rear springs and mounts are interchangeable as well, it might expand the search for newer/lower miles used springs and top mounts.

I bought a set of used front stock 2008 legacy struts last year.  springs went on an older vehicle and one top mount went on my Tribeca. The other top mount was fine so I only needed one. inexpensive way to get replacement OEM springs and struts. But of course all of that is easier here