Time based Workflows...do they actually work?

Time based Workflows...do they actually work?

I've been trying to get my timebased workflows to work for weeks now.     I've got a date in my potentials and I want to create tasks 7 days prior to that date and then again 3mths after that date.  I've just deleted the workflows which have never worked and redid them.   They still dont work.     Using the Rule trigger - based on Date field value = selttled date = 7 days before.   

Any idea.   Ideally if someone do can give me a screen shot example of one that works.??