Expect to be played still, in the car buying experience

I am still looking for a new car, but the recent experience looking for a new car, a Subaru Outback to be specific, was not a good one.

I came into the search with the following assumptions, naive maybe, but here goes:

1. Expect to pay MSRP, well, that would make your life easier wouldn’t it, no need to haggle, no need to spent hours at the dealership
2. Go on the Subaru website, configure a build exactly as you want, and wait for its delivery
3. I don’t mind waiting many months for the car to be built and delivered.

I just want the car with the spec I picked, at the price quoted on the website. Simple, right? I like the new car sale model where you don’t have to go through the dealership (such an obsolete model this day and age IMO, but I digress).

So, that’s what I did. I wanted an Outback Wilderness with no package, and the only options I wanted were a wireless charger, a rear seat back protector, and a tow hitch. All are listed on the website as installed at port as opposed to dealer-installed, except for the seat back protector. And Subaru keeps it simple, with just one package (designated as Package 22) which adds moonroof and a navigation system, both I don’t need.