Some pet stores are good and some are bad. I happen to work at a pet store and we only sell herps that are healthy, eating, and parasite free. The cages are cleaned every day and we spot clean throughout the day if any badness shows up in them (real fun when there are 20 baby beardies in a 75 gal)! However, I think we are the exception to the rule...

I say wait on the free neonate...its awesome to raise a hatchling/neonate into a gentle giant, unless you just want something big to show off to your friends right now (not saying you, theres just a lot of ppl out there like that).