Configuring or adapting Spree or another solution to create a multi-vendor, single domain marketplace (similar to etsy) in Ruby on Rails

Question

I am trying to create a Rails based multi-vendor e-marketplace, similar to Etsy (but for my specific niche). I did see a similar question at Etsy-like marketplace with Activemerchant? (Rails), but my needs are more than a simple payment processor as that question seems to be discussing.

Vendors would need:

Customer order management system
CMS (e.g. adding & updating products)
Invoicing system
Ability receive payments directly from customers

and the marketplace management would need:

Vendor account management system
Commission invoicing system (% of vendor-to-consumer transactions, invoiced to vendors)

To Refactor my question, given the above information: Are there any currently available solutions that could be adapted to meet my needs, and how difficult it be to make that adaption? I'm currently looking at spree http://spreecommerce.com/tour/backend

Thanks guys, any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

If you haven't already, check out Jeff Dutil's work with Spree Marketplace and Spree Drop Ship. With a bit of work for stable releases and customization, they may be able to achieve what you're looking to do.