It's going to be YOUR snake, so get the snake YOU want :-) Ultimately. . .
Buying WC is becoming a moot topic and something that does need to stop IMO - on the one side it's providing a way of life for some locals in Africa, but on the other side, you are removing a snake from its natural home, and forcing it to a captive life, when we already breed more than can be realistically sold each year here in the states *sigh*. I understand the desire for the next big morph and dinkers and what not, but new genes pop up in captivity as well from random snakes that may ultimately prove out.
As far as your general concerns are. I have a WC ball python from 1999, turned 14 this year and is still going strong and doing well. He was a very picky feeder at the start, but feeds like clockwork. As long as it is kept in QT - treated for parasites (worms) and you use very good mite prevention. You should be fine.
My little pressure rant aside - if its the snake that you want, it is OK to raise a w/c vs captive. Do I feel its a good move? No because it encourages the importation even more. But never the less. Good QT, good preventative, you'll be fine.
Cheers
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