I buy all of my video/audio gear at B&H Photo. You can call them up and get advice on the phone if you have any questions just like walking into the store. You don't see that much anymore these days. They are very reputable and I would recommend them without hesitation. I don't even bother to look elsewhere anymore. I just naturally go to B&H for everything.

~jr

Go to resellerratings.com and see how you can do there. There are many, many reputable stores that sell for less than B&H. Resellerratings keeps score of complaints; if "AcmeIndustries" has a great price but a less-than-stellar rating, then avoid them.

You might also want to consider the HV20, the HV30's predecessor. I understand there is very little difference in the two cameras.

I've bought lots of video gear from Ebay, including my FX1, and have never been burned. I bought my HC-3 from Amazon and there, too, no issues.

Resellerratings.com can be generally helpful to figure out who the bad eggs are (though some of them may be inflating their ratings). However, I'd be a little skeptical about their site.
A- They have affiliate links on their site which they do not disclose. They get paid for generating sales.
If you don't wish for resellerratings.com to get credited with your sale, don't click on their retailer links or clear your cookies (e.g. use another browser, clear its cookies, and make your purchase; this will leave your other cookies intact).
B- Amazon's rating is suspiciously low. I've ordered many books from them and haven't had any issues. I've also returned an item that shipped without the CD and received a prompt refund.
C- The ads on their site advertise retailers that generate the most profits for them. Some of the advertised prices are from disreputable dealers, and/or may not be the best price.
D- Possibility of fake reviews. It's the Internet... anybody can be a shill. And if they're good, they avoid detection. Some retailers with somewhat shady practices may be inflating their rating on RR.

*B&H has an excellent reputation... my skepticism about RR is about other retailers on their site.

I haven't posted this link in a long time. You may find it useful to get an understanding of who/what you are dealing with when you purchase at places other than B&H.

Photographs of New York Mail Order Storefronts

Just buy it at B&H and be done with it. You'll be within a few percent of the lowest price you'll get from any other legitimate retailer. The much lower prices sometimes advertised are usually without U.S. warranty, and may have other "gotchas" (like open box, or things removed, like UPC stickers which are used for rebates, etc.).

Look here for advice on purchasing an HV30:

http://www.hv20.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6

Although I bought a lot of my equipment at B&H, there are other reputable places that will sell you an HV30 for a bit less, but I would still go with B&H, unless, you live in NY State and then you have to consider the added NY sales tax.

Hello everyone, thanks for the feedback, jab thanks for the link. I bought a few things from them before. In addition to their pricing B&H has a great return policy, you can return purchases for any reason (I think within 10 days)
Jeff

The only thing that makes me dig around for other possible places outside of B&H is the fact that I'm in New York, and have to pay salestax. If I weren't in NY, that's the only place I'd ever buy from (and still buy most of my gear from anyway). They are a customer-friendly machine and I've never had a bad experience with them - even when it came to returns via mail.

It's gotten to the point I only buy from B&H when I have no other choice. Their shipping charges are ridiculous, compared to everyone else.

My most recent purchases were made from Abel Cine Tech, in New York City. When shopping for extra batteries for the EX3 (which I got from them, too) I found the least expense I could find online. Called Abel Cine Tech and asked if they could meet or beat that price. They came within pennies. On top of that, they didn't charge an arm and leg for shipping. And their customer service is second to none.

Granted, they don't sell the variety of things B&H does, but like I said, I go to B&H when I have no other choice.

Just something to consider.

B&H sells the HV30 for $700. with free shipping.