Case Study 2: The Burkey Family's Unplanned Commitment

Trapped in Paradise: How One Family Escaped a $19,000 Timeshare Nightmare During the Pandemic

When William and Melissa Burkey planned their family spring break vacation to Orlando in March 2020, they envisioned creating magical memories with their children. What they couldn't have anticipated was how quickly their dream vacation would transform into a financial nightmare that would follow them home.

The Ambush

"We were literally trapped," recalls William. "What was supposed to be a 90-minute presentation turned into a 4-hour high-pressure sales marathon. Our kids were in the resort's activity center, getting restless, and the sales team knew exactly how to leverage our situation."

The Burkeys had been invited to what was described as a simple "owner update meeting" with the promise of discounted theme park tickets. Instead, they found themselves surrounded by aggressive salespeople who painted a picture of vacation luxury that seemed too good to pass up.

"They kept saying it was a 'today only' deal," Melissa explains. "They described how we could travel anywhere in the world, how we'd save thousands on future vacations, and how we could pass this investment down to our children. When we tried to leave, they brought in a manager with an even 'better' offer."

After hours of psychological pressure and with their children waiting, the Burkeys signed the contract for a timeshare that cost over $19,000, with annual maintenance fees that weren't clearly explained.

Reality Sets In

The family returned home to Nebraska just as the world was shutting down due to COVID-19. As William, a small business owner, watched his income dwindle during lockdowns, the reality of their new financial obligation became increasingly daunting.

"We tried to book our first vacation using the timeshare three months later, and that's when everything fell apart," William says. "Nothing was available when we wanted to travel. The places we could book required additional fees not mentioned during the sales pitch. And the maintenance fees suddenly increased by 12% with no warning."

Melissa, who handled the family's finances, watched with growing anxiety as their credit card debt mounted. "Between the timeshare payments and the economic uncertainty of the pandemic, I lost sleep every night. Our credit score was dropping, and I started having panic attacks about our financial future."

Their attempts to resolve issues with the timeshare company were met with indifference. Customer service representatives repeatedly referenced the fine print in their contract—details that had been glossed over during their high-pressure sales meeting.

The Turning Point

The breakthrough came during a neighborhood barbecue in July 2020, when the Burkeys reluctantly shared their situation with friends.

"I was embarrassed to admit we'd fallen for what felt like a scam," Melissa says. "But our neighbor had gone through something similar and had successfully worked with Cancel Ease to get out of their contract."

Initially skeptical about working with any company after their timeshare experience, the Burkeys researched Cancel Ease thoroughly before making contact. "The difference was immediately apparent," William notes. "There was no pressure, just clear information about our options."

The Path to Freedom

The process wasn't instantaneous, but it was methodical. Cancel Ease assigned the Burkeys a dedicated case manager who:

• Conducted a thorough review of their contract, identifying multiple potential misrepresentations

• Documented the discrepancies between what was promised and what was delivered

• Built a comprehensive case against the timeshare company

• Handled all communications, shielding the family from intimidation tactics

• Kept the Burkeys informed with weekly updates throughout the process

"Our case manager, Jennifer, became like family," Melissa shares. "She understood our anxiety and always took time to explain every step. She even helped us develop a financial plan to manage during the cancellation process."

The Victory

Five months after engaging Cancel Ease, the Burkeys received the news they'd been hoping for: their timeshare contract was officially canceled, and they would receive a complete refund of their $19,000 investment.

"I literally broke down crying when we got the call," Melissa remembers. "It wasn't just about the money—though that was significant—it was about removing this cloud that had been hanging over our family."

An unexpected benefit emerged three months later when Melissa checked her credit score and discovered it had improved by 124 points. "That improvement opened doors for us to refinance our home at a better rate, which saved us even more money in the long run."

Life After Timeshare

Today, the Burkeys are more careful about their vacation planning, but they haven't stopped traveling. In fact, they've found that with proper research and flexible booking options, they can enjoy more affordable and stress-free family trips.

"We actually took the refund money and divided it," William explains. "Half went into our children's college funds, and the other half became our dedicated vacation fund. We've already taken two trips that cost less than a single year of timeshare maintenance fees would have."

Melissa now volunteers her time helping other families understand the pitfalls of timeshare contracts. "The shame and embarrassment of falling for these tactics keeps so many people silent and stuck. I want others to know they're not alone, and there is a way out."

Your Escape Plan

If the Burkeys' story sounds familiar, know that you're not alone. Thousands of families find themselves trapped in timeshare agreements that don't deliver on promises and create financial strain instead of vacation enjoyment.

Cancel Ease specializes in helping families like yours regain financial freedom through legal, ethical timeshare cancellation. Our team of experts understands the complex tactics used by timeshare companies and has developed proven strategies to help our clients escape unwanted contracts.

Don't let another year pass while paying for a vacation ownership that doesn't serve your family's needs. Contact Cancel Ease today for a free, no-pressure consultation to learn about your options.

As William Burkey puts it: "Working with Cancel Ease wasn't just about canceling a contract—it was about taking back control of our financial future and our peace of mind. That's something you can't put a price tag on."