They actually don't have to grind the lens different, they just cut the lens
differently after it is ground so that when placed in the frame the fitting
height is placed 4mm higher. The round lens with a diameter of about 75mm -
80mm (size varies somewhat by the base curve and model) is ground to your Rx
before it is cut to fit your frame.

Sounds like fitting the lens height 4mm higher was maybe not a good idea. I
think the fitting height should probably be same as you old lens (with
respect to your pupils), and if you want more reading area you need a taller
frame (more area below the fitting height)..

No, in fact these are slightly taller than the set I have on today with
the AO Easy lenses fitted. Actually, we agreed that the lenses would be
ground 4mm taller than the display lens exactly for this reason and to
give me a bit more reading correction at the bottom.

Is this the first time you've tried a frame with "narrow" (top to bottom)
lenses?  I wear progressives and I've always chosen frames with fairly
large, round lenses so there's more room for the "distance to reading"
transition.  I wonder if the near and far corrections have to be positioned
differently to fit them into such a narrow lens?  In any case I'd take them
back.

Earlier this week I picked up a new set of progressives following an
eye checkup that showed a small change in my Rx. I didn't need new
glasses, but I'm a bit of an eyeglass junkie and so I decided to treat
myself to another pair with trendy frames.

I went to my favorite optician and we discussed lens options. He said
that he had been having good success recently with a lens from Nikon
Canada called the Nikon i so I went for those. Webpage:
http://www.nikonlenswear.ca/en/lentilles/progressive.php#

Unlike my past couple of pairs (one Varilux Comfort and one AO Easy)
when I first tried my new glasses on in the store they immediately
didn't feel right. The suggestion was made that I wear my previous
glasses the rest of the day and try the new ones first thing next
morning upon awakening, which I agree is sound advice. I did that and
still not much joy. Intermediate and reading is fine but distance
vision is yucky. Lots of off-center non-correction and even watching TV
is difficult unless you are perpendicular to the screen. Walking
around, just doing everyday things, there is definitely swim that isn't
there with the other lenses in my other glasses.

Unfortunately these frames (Face A Face "Archi" :
http://www.faceaface-paris.com/home.php?lang=4&called=cat&srub=dcv&concept=ARCHI
&gl_id=26
) are plastic and therefore have less adjustability than many others.
I suspect the lens centers are set slightly too high but I can't see
how they can be tweaked without a remake. Maybe I'm wrong.

I believe the Nikon line is Canadian only but perhaps not -- or maybe
the same lenses are sold in the US under a different brand. Anyone have
experience with Nikon progressives to share?