Yes the spells do work but you have to find the right one. Also masgick can be dangerous VERY dangerous if you do a spell cast wrong. Please take precautions!!
Wish spells are relatively easy. Provided that you are wishing for something tangible, something real, something obtainable, and that you know how to properly cast a spell.
I am just going to add this as well. Magick, like life isn't all sun shine and rainbows. There are dangers in it. Not all in your head, or "its only dangerous if you think it is". Pay attention to what you do, how it effects you, your energy, health, and mental state as well as that around you. Be wise in your workings.
First, whether a spell works or doesn't, it comes down to if the spell was written properly and cast correctly. The issue is that not all practitioners know how to properly write a spell, or how to raise energy, or have mastered the basics of spell casting and energy work. Now, I'm not saying it's anyone's fault, magick is a practice, and it takes practice to get better at it. And as was already said that wish spells do work, it just comes down to if the wish is realistic, or within the realm of possibility. It's not like magick really has any limits, just there are some things that magick can not do that doesn't come down to a sheer level of experience. It's simply because magick can not do that because that's not how it works, such as wishing for a lover when you don't go anywhere where you could meet someone, or if your not social. I wouldn't call myself a "master" at casting spells and such, but I am experienced enough to know how to go about writing a spell and casting it. Any spell that's written right, is realistic, and is cast by someone who knows what they're doing will in theory work, of course, you can't really guarantee the results of a spell as everyone's situation is different. I could explain more but I think I'll just end this here. I hope this was of some use to you, A_goat.
I feel wish spells are for those times when you can't find the specific spell. [say make my sister forgive me or let me win the contest at work] it's like blowing out the candles on a birthday cake [close your eyes, focus on your wish, blow out candle] but like with any magick wish spells are limited to reality [i wish I had more money works better than I wish I had a real live dinosaur] you can wish for something but it's still something you can work towards getting like with any spell.