I don't see how it is necessarily cheaper to check-call compared to bet-fold flop if we happen to be dominated. He might check behind, but that's about all. Otherwise he might fire a bigger bet than our c-bet (that we call), or he simply bluffs us outs (we fold). I. e his folding range turns into a successful bluff-range.
Maybe I am overly skeptical, but there's one play in Holde'm I almost never really enjoy, and that is the check-call on early streets, especially not with a weak range because it is almost cards face up. Hell - even checking and folding (what is statistically the best hand) might be better in extreme situations OOP.
But then I am a pessimist today.