Guessing that since both the store's nook and the one you bought aren't responding, it's just something in your technique that isn't working. Someone posted a Youtube video about swiping, I'll post a link here:
Finger Swipe
I think it's like riding a bike, it's hard to do until you learn, but once you do you do it without thinking about it. Good luck!
ETA: The video shoes 'thumb' swiping but any finger should do.