I haven't personally come across this yet but it used to be that whenever I was at a quilt shop or shop hop the sellers always took checks, often without ID. When I asked about it I was told everytime that they had never had a bounced check from a quilter. One of my LQS's has recently stopped accepting checks.
Of course it may not be a quilter that stole them but someone who realizes how much money can be made from selling quilting items. I'm thinking it must be a sign of the times that more people are starting to steal and cheat.
I don't understand it either but it is really a sad state of affairs.